JUST IN: Tinubu swears in seven new ministers

“Stay focused and stay resilient”, Tinubu tells new ministers

President Bola Tinubu swore in seven new ministers including Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, to his cabinet at the state house’s council chamber on November 5, 2024, in Abuja.

This comes after the senate confirmed each of the seven nominees on October 31, after they were individually reviewed.

Following the reading of their citations by state house director of information Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, the new cabinet members took the oath of office in two batches.

This consist of four in the first batch and three in the second.

The first four appointees include:

• Yusuf Ata (Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development);
• Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (Minister of State, Education);
• Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Minister of State, Foreign Affairs); and
• Idi Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development).

Afterward, the following three took their oaths before the president.

• Muhammadu Dingyadi (the minister of labor and employment);
• Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (the minister of industry, trade, and investment); and
• Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda (the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction).

In a significant cabinet reorganization on October 23, Tinubu nominated seven new ministers to be confirmed by the senate

He had earlier sacked five others, and authorized the reassignment of ten ministers to new ministries.

The sacked ministers include Uju-Ken Ohanenye (former Minister of Women’s Affairs), Lola Ade-John (former Minister of Tourism), Tahir Mamman (former Minister of Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (former Minister of Youth Development).

 “Stay focused and stay resilient”, Tinubu tells new ministers

President Bola Tinubu swore in seven new ministers to his cabinet on November 4, 2024, in the state house’s council chamber in Abuja.

According to reports, this came after they were confirmed by the Senate on October 31 following a vetting process.

Following the reading of their citations by Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, director of information and public relations at the state house, the new cabinet members took the oath of office in groups of three and four.

As they serve the nation at a crucial juncture, the president asked the new cabinet members to maintain their composure in the face of harsh criticism.

He noted: “The moment is challenging; the present situation requires a very serious commitment.

“I really appreciate the fact that you have taken the oath of office and are ready to serve your nation at a time when we are facing the challenges of economic growth and other items like security challenges and others.

“You will be part of criticism and abuse.

“Don’t worry; stay focused and stay resilient.

“Your thanks will come with the history of growth and prosperity for this country”.

Tinubu further appreciated the national assembly for conducting the screening “diligently and expeditiously” while congratulating the new ministers.

“You are called upon to join the team to rescue this country.

“Again, I congratulate the newly sworn-in seven ministers, and I thank you for accepting to serve this nation”, he said.

Additionally, Tinubu pointed out that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio has decreased from almost 97% when he took office 17 months ago to 65% now.

“For us, it was a challenge when the nation serviced its debt with 97 per cent of its revenue.

“It’s nothing but the end of the cliff.

“But today, I can report to you that we brought that one down, and it is at 65 per cent, and we have never defaulted in paying or meeting all obligations, both foreign and domestic.

“We have our heads above the water.

“All other countries around us and across the world are facing challenges, too.”

Speaking further, Tinubu assured economic boost.

He disclosed that the country is on a “good path” irrespective of the hardship triggered by months of hardline economic reforms.

He explained, “We have taken the bull by the horns.

“We have stopped the scavengers.

“We are going to completely stop the profiteers and smugglers of our resources across the country”.

He went on: “We are not going to run away from our responsibility; we are going to face it, and we have been facing it head-on.

“Economic recovery is on the horizon.

“We have a good path to achieving our dreams, and it is not just for us; it is for our children and grandchildren”.

He added: “Despite the challenges, we must face the job of re-engineering and retooling the economic path of this country.

“Yes, the cost of living has gone up.

“I recognise that.

“We have satisfied the obligation of paying a new minimum wage across the board.

“We are navigating through this and working hard”.

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