Ngozi absent as Jonathan swears in ministers – …reserves portfolios for Monday

However, presidential spokesman Reuben Abati told newsmen that Okonjo-Iweal’s absence was due to her trip to Washington in the United States of America to tidy her table. The president had last week Saturday swore in the first batch of 14 ministers thereby bringing the total number of ministers sworn in to 31. Eight nominees are […]

However, presidential spokesman Reuben Abati told newsmen that Okonjo-Iweal’s absence was due to her trip to Washington in the United States of America to tidy her table. The president had last week Saturday swore in the first batch of 14 ministers thereby bringing the total number of ministers sworn in to 31. Eight nominees are now waiting to be screened by the Senate while the President had withdrawn  two nominees.

 

The president, who made a very brief remarks after the oath taking, said he would  reserve his comments until the last swearing in when he would make an elaborate policy statement of the administration. Jonathan congratulated the ministers and said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim would assign them their portfolios on Monday.

The ministers that were sworn in include: The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) Bello Haliru (Kebbi); former finance minister Olusegun Aganga (Lagos); Professor Barth Nnaji (Enugu); Senator Abdullahi Idris Umar (Gombe); Professor Viola Onwuliri (Imo); Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa (Akwa Ibom); Erelu Olusola Obada (Osun); Comrade Abba Moro (Benue) and Dr Samuel Ioraer Ortom  (Benue).

Also sworn in are former coordinator of the Fadama and National Food Security Programme, Alhaji Bukar Tijjani (Borno);  former Kawra State education commissioner, Bolaji Abdullahi  (Kwara); Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi (Niger);  Arc. Mike Onolomemen (Edo), Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru (Ogun), Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide (Oyo), Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama (Yobe) and Amb. Bashir Yuguda (Zamfara).