President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday swore in three newly appointed ministers and also effected a minor cabinet reorder.
At the brief ceremony which took place before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, Jonathan asked the ministers to serve the interest of the nation and not theirs.
The sworn-in ministers are Mr Kenneth Gbagil from Delta, former Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Salamotu Suleiman from Kebbi and Hajia Yabawa Lawan Wabi from Borno.
Gbagil was assigned the portfolio of Minister of State for Education, Suleiman, Minister of State Foreign Affairs (II) for Finance State while Wabi was assigned Minister of State for Finance.
The affected ministers in the minor cabinet reshuffle are Mr Remi Babalola who has been moved as Minister of State for Finance to oversee the Ministry of Special Duties while retired Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade has been moved from Special Duties to assume as Minister of State FCT.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Jonathan also swore in two new INEC Commissioners and one Special Adviser.
The two new INEC commissioners are Dr. Mohammed Ahmed and Dr Chris Iyimoga while Prof Dan Adebiyi was sworn in as Special Adviser to the President on Policy Monitoring and Performance Evaluation.
NAN recalls that last month, the President swore in six INEC Federal Commissioners as well as INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
Meanwhile, Jonathan has asked the Nigerian media to be objective and factual.
The President, in his brief remark at the swearing-in ceremony, noted that the media, as the fourth estate of the realm, occupy a sensitive position in the society.
“What we read in the media conveys a kind of conscious press war which is not helpful to the nation.
“If a minister is not to be removed and you continue to tell the world that a minister is to be removed; what you publish affects the nation drastically.
“People have one thing or the other to do with that ministry, so they become careful. They want to wait till the day the minister will be removed which will not come.
“I assure you that if I am to redeploy a minister, you will not know until the announcement is made.
“I plead with the media to please help Nigeria by not publishing spurious stories sponsored by some group’’, he remarked.
uncle ken, i beleive in your sensitive ideas, which will bring a positive transformation in the educational sector.