The atmosphere in Abuja, the capital of the nation, is filled with excitement as President Bola Tinubu officially ushers in the minister-designate group that will form the Federal Executive Council (FEC) later on Monday.
According to a press release from Willie Bassey, the Director of Information at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the procedure proceeded smoothly with each nominee wrapping up their formalities in under 10 minutes.
Bassey further disclosed that invitation cards for up to three guests per minister-designate were effectively distributed to each nominee, with the expectation that they would then pass on these cards to their selected invitees.
Bassey also confirmed that preparations have been finalized to transport the designated ministers from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the location of the inauguration ceremony.
He said:
“We can authoritatively inform our colleagues (journalists) that as the documentation winds down today, so far we have successfully documented over 40 Ministers-Designate.
“The process was seamless as there were four registration points and it took the Ministers less than 10 minutes to complete the process.
“Also, invitation cards for the three guests of the Ministers-Designate were successfully given to each Minister for onward delivery to their invited guests.”
He confirmed that comprehensive transportation plans have been finalized to transport ministers-designate and their accompanying three guests to the location of the ceremony, which is set to take place at the State House Conference Centre in Aso Villa, Abuja at 8.00am.
On Sunday, the ministers-designate wrapped up their paperwork at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). This documentation process, initiated on Saturday, drew to a close by 4pm on Sunday, encompassing the participation of all 45 individuals who had received prior clearance from the Senate.
According to report, security measures have been significantly heightened at the Presidential Villa in anticipation of the swearing-in event. As per the current setup, no vehicles, whether belonging to the ministers-designate, their guests, or any other individuals, will be permitted to enter the Villa on the upcoming day. It’s possible that visitors and ministers-designate will undergo biometric registration as part of the protocol.
Few hours before the event, President Bola Tinubu sanctioned the reassignment of Engr. Abubakar Momoh from the Federal Ministry of Youth to the helm of the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development. This development comes in response to public concerns arising from the omission of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in the recently released list of ministries and their corresponding ministers.
This was revealed in a press release signed by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity).
Simultaneously, plans are underway to appoint a new Minister-Designate to oversee the Federal Ministry of Youth.
Furthermore, a strategic reshuffling has taken place among the Ministers-Designate initially designated for the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy.
Adegboyega Oyetola is redeployed as the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is redeployed as the Minister of Interior, while Hon. Sa’idu Alkali is redeployed as the Minister of Transportation
Both Ministers of State within the Oil & Gas sector have been integrated into the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, with Senator Heineken Lokpobiri taking on the role of Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, and Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo assuming the position of Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources.
PRESS RELEASE
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU ANNOUNCES NEW MINISTER-DESIGNATE FOR NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT; DIRECTS MINOR AMENDMENTS TO MINISTRY NOMENCLATURE AND PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION
President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of Engr. Abubakar Momoh from the Federal Ministry of Youth to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development.
The Federal Ministry of Youth is to be re-assigned to a Minister-Designate soon.
The Ministers-Designate allocated to the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy have been reshuffled as follows:
(A) H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy
(B) Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Interior
(C) Hon. Sa’idu Alkali is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Transportation
Furthermore, both Ministers of State in the Oil & Gas sector are now domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources with the following designations:
(i) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri is the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources
(ii) Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo is the Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources
The President approves the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management as the Federal Ministry of Environment.
All aforementioned changes take immediate effect by these directives of the President.
Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 20, 2023