- Says I will hold you to highest standard
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in 45 ministers at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, with a charge to restore public faith in governance.
He said the ministers were carefully selected based on their track record of excellence and achievement in public and private sectors, reflecting the diversity of Nigeria.
Tinubu warned the ministers that they were ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not ethnic, regional, or state ministers.
He emphasised that their highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that people can once again believe that the right hands in government can show.
President Tinubu also urged the ministers to serve with integrity, dignity, and deliver, stressing that he will hold them to the high standards of expectations of Nigerians.
The President admitted that the task ahead is daunting, but he believes that the government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for collective progress of the country.
Tinubu congratulated the ministers and wished them success in their new assignment.
He said: “In line with the constitutional obligations the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has screened and confirmed 45 ministers who will superintend over the ministries of federal government in this administration of renewed hope.
“The men and women who have been sworn-in have been carefully selected by me for their track record of excellence and achievement in public and private sector.
“They reflected the diversity of Nigeria and bring to their new role an assortment of experience and expertise to help guide the nation’s affairs and also continue to rebuild the nation and re-engineer all our finances and defects, building blocks of Nigeria today and the future.
“Fellow Nigerians, the challenges we face today are very daunting yes, there are yet amidst this evident challenge, we have the opportunity to implement long overdue reforms that will improve the operation of government, transform our nation’s economy and ensure peace, safety and prosperity for our people.
“These are the objectives that underpin the renewed hope agenda. And these are the objectives that inspired the selection of a lot of these distinguished ladies and gentlemen ministers.
“Ministers of the Federal Republic you are, not minister of a region or Minister of a particular state.”
Tinubu, called on the ministers to serve with integrity, dignity, and deliver on their promises to the Nigerian people.
He emphasised the tremendous responsibility that comes with the highest honour of serving as a minister in the Federal Executive Council.
The President urged them to distinguish themselves and work towards making themselves worthy in the eyes of God and the Nigerian people.
He also highlighted the importance of accountability, transparency, and delivery, stating that he would hold the ministers to the standard they promised Nigerians.
The President said: “Since my inauguration on May 29, I have taken steps to begin implementing the agenda from which I campaigned and for which I received the mandate of Nigerian people.
“With the inauguration of ministers today, we are about to accelerate our governing efforts to move forward, highlighting our best aspiration for Nigerians. It is all about a great team. And I believe we have them here.
“It is the highest honour to be chosen to serve as the minister in the Federal Executive Council of our beloved Republic. With such high honour comes tremendous responsibility. In this moment of abundant promise and fail in equal measure.
“All of you who have been sworn in I’ve been called to distinguish yourselves. It is me who knows you. I delegate this authority but the greatest number of Nigerians are highly expecting delivery and accountability and transparency.
“I expect that you will serve with integrity, dignity and deliver. I will hold you to that standard we all promised Nigerians.
“Your assignment begins immediately. As your country honours you today, by this call to service you must each work to make yourself worthy in the eyes of God and all our nation’s people.
“Your highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that our people can once again believe that the right hands in government can show. I believe in you that the government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for collective progress of this country.
“I congratulate you and welcome you to the administration of renewed hope.
“I wish you success in this new assignment. We are on this boat even if it is a vehicle and I am the driver the entire Nigerians are behind sitting and watching as you and I navigate this vehicle.
“We must hold each other responsible. We have to do the job to meet the expectations of all Nigerians.
“As I said earlier on, you are not a minister of a particular state, colonies, region or ethnic nationality, you are a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria. God be with you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you very much.”
Also in attendance were the, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
The ministers were sworn-in five in a batch. The first batch comprised of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State Gas in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy, and Minister of Education Tahir Maman.
The second batch to be sworn-in are, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of State (Oil), Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.
The third batch of ministers to be sworn-in Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, and Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh.
The fourth batch of ministers to be sworn-in Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, Minister of Transportation, Alkali Sa’id, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite, and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.
The fifth batch of ministers to be sworn-in Minister of State Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo, Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mariya Mahmud, Minister of Housing and Urban development, Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
The sixth batch of ministers to be sworn-in are Minister of State Education, Yusuf Sunumu, Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, and Minister of State Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim.
The seventh batch of ministers to be sworn-in are Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, Minister of State Environment, Ishak Salako, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
The eighth batch of ministers to be sworn-in are Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Power, Adedayo Adelabu, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike.
The ninth batch of ministers to be sworn-in are Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, Minister of State for Steel Development, Maigari Ahmadu, Minister of Police affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, and Minster of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Zephaniah Jisalo, first indigene of the FCT to become a minister.
The Tinubu’s administration has the largest and most expanded cabinet in the history with 48 ministers. It is also the first time the nation is having the ministry of Marine and Blue economy and the first time there is ministry of tourism as stand alone ministry and the first time there’s a minister of petroleum, gas.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale served as the emcee of the event which lasted for over two hours.