Buhari reshuffles cabinet as seven new ministers get portfolio

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday assigned portfolios to seven newly appointed ministers and also moved some of the older ministers to new ministries.

Some of the newly appointed ministers and their portfolios are: Ikechukwu Ikoh, Minister of State, Science and Technology; Umana Umana, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Udi Odum , Minister of State, Environment; Ademola Adegoroye, Minister of State, Transport.

Others are Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, Minister of State, Works and Housing; Goodluck Opiah, Minister of State, Education and Nkama Ekumankama, Minister of State, Health.

The Ministers re-assigned are, Senator Adeleke Mamora, Minister of Science and Technology (formerly Minister of State, Health); Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Minister of Transportation (formerly Minister of State, Works and Housing).

Others are Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State, Niger Delta (formerly Minister of State, Environment) and Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development (formerly Minister of State, Transportation).

President Buhari urged the new ministers to consult and collaborate with older cabinet colleagues and focus on driving key programmes already initiated by his administration.

He also urged them to serve the nation diligently, maintain unalloyed loyalty to the country and office of the President.

The President said the new redeployment is aimed at reinvigorating certain sectors where the government desires to accomplish improved results.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, which preceded the virtual Federal Executive Council meeting, Buhari said his administration is now on the home-stretch of its second term, more work still needs to be done in diverse areas of the economy and national life.

He also warned all members of the cabinet against corrupt practices, reiterating that public officers must be above board and those caught in corrupt practices would face the full wrath of the law.

‘‘I begin this address by welcoming on board, all newly sworn-in members of the Federal Executive Council. I also congratulate you because the process that you all passed through to reach this stage has been rigorous and meticulous.

‘‘The appointment of these new Ministers is in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which prescribes that the Federal Executive Council shall be made up of members from every state of the Federation,” the President added.