President Bola Tinubu has sworn in the seven newly appointed ministers to their respective designations of duties on Monday, November 4th, 2024 at the council house in Abuja. The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by key individuals, including the Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, some other members of the Federal Executive Council, and the family members
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in the seven newly appointed ministers to their respective designations of duties on Monday November 4th, 2024 at the council house in Abuja.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by key individuals, including the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, s ome other members of the Federal Executive Council, and the family members of the appointed ministers.
The new ministers had their oath taken in two batches after the reading of their citations by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye. Four ministers were first sworn in, afterwards, the remaining three joined them for the inauguration.
The newly sworn-in ministers and their portfolios are as follows: Idi Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development); Yusuf Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development); Dr Suwaiba Ahmad (State, Education); and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State, Foreign Affairs), Dr (Mrs) Jumoke Oduwole (Trade and Investment); Dr Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); and Muhammadu Dingyadi (Labour & Employment).
Addressing the new ministers, President Tinubu expressed his satisfaction with their appointment and encouraged them to be ready to serve amidst ongoing economic challenges and security concerns in the country.
He further urged them to brace up for criticisms that will be meted out to them in the course of doing their jobs, asking them to show their resilience and unwavering attitude to restore the country to economic growth.
He also commended his cabinet members for being tireless in steering Nigeria to recovery, noting that the country will not sink as he is committed to the responsibility to take the country to success and prosperity.
“Nigeria’s head is above the waters. This ship will not sink. We will not run away from our responsibilities,” he said.
“I am proud to lead you, and we will lead you to success and prosperity. We have taken the bull by the horns. We have stopped the scavengers and profiteers…”
“You will be part of criticism and abuse Dont worry, stay focused, stay resilient. Your thanks will come with the history of growth and prosperity for this country. It is my joy and honor to be part of you to be responsible for over 200 million people in this country.
“I appreciate the fact that you have taken the Oath of Office and are ready to serve your nation at the time we are facing the challenges of economic growth and other items like security challenges and others.
“It is not easy to find just the unique people that will surrender their lives, freedoms, and other responsibilities to serve their nation anytime in this time of challenges.
“The moment is challenging, the present situation calls for a very serious commitment, yours is a duty to serve and that is what you’ve got to do,” he said.
“We have stopped the scavengers we are going to stop completely the profiteers and smugglers of our resources across the country. We are not going to run away from our responsibility, we are going to face it and we have been facing it head loon with you as a member of this team, I will proud and I am proud and honoured that I am leading you and we will lead to success and prosperity,” he said.
“I am sincerely happy that you are here today to be part of this very committed team of Nigerians who have been working tirelessly since 17 months ago when we assumed the responsibility of governing this country, you are called upon to join the team to rescue this country.
“Service is the hallmark of this human endeavour you are being called upon to serve, for 17 months, I thank many of the ministers that are present here today for the hard work that they have embarked upon tirelessly to put Nigeria on the recovery path,” he said.
The swearing-in came after the appointment of the ministers had been screened and confirmed by the Senate last week, following a letter by the president requesting their confirmation as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their screening was done swiftly, as some of the ministers were asked friendly questions, after which they were asked to take a bow and leave the chamber.
About two weeks ago, the President announced some changes and reshuffling in his cabinet, leading to the dismissal of five ministers, the appointment of seven, the merging of some ministries, the reassignment of some ministers, and the scrapping of some ministries.
This development came after calls from different angles for the president to reshuffle his cabinet. As a result, the presidency stated in a statement that the goal of the overhaul was to immediately implement and reinvigorate the administration’s capacity for optimal efficiency by the President’s commitment to delivering on his promises to Nigeria.