Jonathan swears in two ministers

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday swore in Professor Chinedu Osita Nebo and Kabiru Alhaji Tanimu Turaki as two newest members of his cabinet in what he described as a move to inject new blood into his administration.

The two Ministers who represent Enugu and Kebbi States respectively in the cabinet are expected to replace former Ministers of Power and Defence, Barth Nnaji and Haliru Bello Mohammed respectively who were removed from the cabinet last year.
The President however said their specific portfolios will be announced later by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

“We are admitting two new ministers into our fold. From the profile we have heard about them, they are eminently qualified to serve this country at all levels. If it is in politics they are eminently qualified to serve as councillors to the president of the federal republic by their antecedents”, the President said.

He urged the new appointees to justify their inclusion in the cabinet after he swore them in.

“One thing I believe is that you will succeed but to me it is a big challenge to me and you because if a coach of a football team sends his 11 players and decide to make changes getting close to half time, then he knows that there may be weaknesses in some areas and he is bringing people to strengthen the team to make sure they score goals.

The President added that because the new ministers were being brought in to government nearly midway into the tenure of the administration, they will be especially expected to add value to governance performing extremely well in their ministries.

“So Nigerians are expecting that if I am bringing ministers in at this time, I must be bringing people that will strengthen the team and make sure I bring people that will score more goals than we are already scoring. And If Nigerians don’t realise that they will feel that I am not a good coach.

“Just like when the coach introduces a new player sometimes 10 minutes to the end of the game and you are introduced to the field they expect you to score the next goal.

Those present at the occasion included Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ndoma Egba, Senate Majority Leader, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives , ministers and families members of the new ministers among others.