By Festus Fifen

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday administered oath of office on seven ministers recently screened and confirmed by the Senate to replace the ministers who resigned to contest for political offices.

The Ministers sworn-in by President in two batches of four and three each are Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh – Abia State, Umana Okon Umana – Akwa Ibom State! Odum Odih – Rivers State and Ademola Adewole Adegoroye – Ondo State, Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub – Kano State, Goodluck Nnana Opiah – Imo State and Egwumakama Joseph Nkama – Ebonyi State.

The President also announced the minor Reshuffling of his cabinet.

In the new cabinet reshuffle, Olorumibe Mamora Adeleke formerly Minister of state for Health now takes over as the Substantive minister of Science and Technology, Gbemisola Saraki formerly Minister of state Transportation moves to Minister for state mines and steel.

Others are Muazu Jaji Sambo formerly Minister of States for Works now substantive Minister of transportation, Sharon Ikeazor previously Minister of state environment is now Minister of States Niger delta affairs.

Those Newly assigned portfolios include, Umana Okon Umana- Minister of Niger delta affairs, Umar Ibrahim El yakub- Minister of state works and housing, Goodluck Nanah Opiah- Minister of state education

* Ekumankama Joseph Nkama- Minister of state Heath
* Ikoh Henry ikechukwu- Minister of state, Science and Technology
* Odum Udi- Minister of state, Environment
* Ademola Adewole Adegoroye- Minister of state, Transportation

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, which preceded the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the President said as 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 used the medium to urged the newest members of his cabinet to consult and collaborate with older cabinet colleagues and focus on driving key programmes already initiated by this administration.

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.

In his words ‘‘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.

‘‘I therefore urge you to consider your emergence out of millions of equally qualified Nigerians within the purview of selection from your State, as a call to duty which imposes the obligation to serve the nation diligently and presents to you the unique opportunity to work hard in service to the Government and the country.

‘‘At the valedictory session for six former Ministers that departed to pursue other political careers, I promised that their replacement shall be a matter of priority so that the business of governance would not experience delays or setbacks.

‘‘This administration has been in the saddle since 2015 and is now on the home-stretch of its second term, as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections. All through, it has vigorously pursued the three main electoral objectives namely: Securing the nation; Diversifying & growing the economy as well as fighting corruption.

‘‘You are all coming on-board at this time with new energy, ideas, experiences and vigour, to join the existing team so that the implementation of policies, programs and projects associated with these electoral objectives would be escalated and accelerated.

Those physically in attendance are the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.
Other Ministers who are also in attendance include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Education, Adamu Adamu, Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, Mines and Steel, Olamilekan Adegbite, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and Minister of State Budget, National Planning, Clem Agb,a and State, Industry Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagun.

Head of the Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, and other ministers are attending the meeting from their office.