12th July, 2011
With the allocation of portfolios to all the ministers that have been sworn-in so far yesterday by President Goodluck Jonathan, the stage is set for the return of Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to the finance ministry.
Olusegun Aganga, former Minister of Finance, unlike some of his former cabinet colleagues has been re-assigned to the newly created Ministry of Trade and Investment where he has already resumed duty.
Though Okonjo-Iweala was cleared last week by the Senate, she was, however, not among the ministers sworn-in last Thursday by the President. Reuben Abati, spokesperson to President Jonathan, Iweala had immediately after she was cleared at the Senate gone to Washington to clear her table at the World Bank where she was a managing director.
Iweala, who also served as minister of finance under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and was famous for leading the negotiation that led to Nigeria paying back her international debt, tendered her resignation letter at the World Bank last Friday and it was gathered that she may return to the country anytime from now.
P.M.NEWS learnt that she will be sworn-in alongside the last batch of ministers submitted to the Senate for clearance by later this week, most probably next Wednesday. Dr. Yerima Lawal Ngama has already been appointed as Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance.
Two ministers- Alhaji Yusuf Suleman was redeployed from the Ministry of Transport to the Sports Commission as Chairman. He is to be replaced by Senator Idris Umar. Also, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade has moved to Ministry of Police Affairs. He was formerly Minister of State FCT. He has been replaced by Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide.
The ministers and their portfolios are : Barrister Emeka Wogu -Minister of Labour; Hajia Zainab Maina – Minister of Women Affairs; Prof. Ita Okon Bassey Ewa – Minister of Science and Technology; Mrs. Stella Oduah -Ogiemwonyi -Minister of Aviation – Senator Bala Mohammed -Minister of FCT; Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke -Minister of Petroleum;
Comrade Abba Moro – Minister of Interior; Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi -Minister of State -Niger Delta Affairs; Alhaji Bukar Tijani – Minister of State, Ministry of Agric and Natural Resources; Elder Godsday Orubebe -Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu -Minister of Health; Arc. Mike Onolememen -Minister of Works; Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) -Minister of Police Affairs and Professor Barth Nnaji -Minister of Power;
Others are: Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman -Minister of Sports Sokoto; Prof. (Mrs) Viola Onwuliri -Minister of State 1 -Foreign Affairs; Prof (Mrs) Ruqayyatu Rufai -Minister of Education; Dr. Shamsudeen Usman-Minister of National Planning; Arc. Mohammed Musa Sada -Minister of Mines and Steel Development; Dr. Bello H. Mohammed -Minister of Defence and Mohammed B. Adoke, SAN -Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice.
Also assigned portfolios are Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi -Minister of Youth Development; Mr. Olusegun O. Aganga – Minister of Trade and Investment; Mr. Labaran Maku – Minister of Information and Communications; Dr. Samuel Ioraer Ortom -Minister of State, Trade and Investment; Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru -Minister of Foreign Affairs; Erelu Olusola Obada -Minister of State, Defence; Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide -Minister of Sate, FCT; Senator Idris A.Umar -Minister of Transport; Amb. Bashir Yugudu -Minister of State, Works.
—Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja