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Meet the 7 Newly Appointed Ministers: Profiles and Backgrounds
President Bola Tinubu has reshuffled his cabinet, appointing seven new ministers for Senate confirmation, amidst growing calls for a shake-up. Alongside the dismissal of five ministers, Tinubu reassigned 10 others to new portfolios. Below are profiles of the seven new ministerial nominees.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu – Minister of State, Foreign Affairs
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is an accomplished diplomat, lawyer, businesswoman, and former beauty pageant titleholder. She has previously served as Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana and Spain. Bianca is also Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Widely recognised as the widow of former Biafra leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, she brings her vast international experience to her new role.
Maigari Dingyadi – Minister of Labour and Employment
Maigari Dingyadi, from Sokoto State, was Minister of Police Affairs from 2019 to 2023. He is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and has a long political career, including serving as Secretary to the Sokoto State Government and representing Bodinga Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He also previously chaired the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
Jumoke Oduwole – Minister of Industry
Jumoke Oduwole is an academic and advisor, formerly serving as Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business from 2019 to 2023. Before this, she was the Senior Special Assistant on Industry, Trade, and Investment in the Office of the Vice President. Currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos, her expertise in international law and economics positions her well for her new portfolio.
Nentawe Yilwatda – Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
Hailing from Plateau State, Nentawe Yilwatda is a registered Engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). Yilwatda is a lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi and previously served as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, having been appointed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Idi Maiha – Minister of Livestock Development
Idi Maiha is a business executive and former Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company. He is currently the Chairman and CEO of Zaidi Farms Limited, a leading agricultural enterprise based in Kaduna. His appointment to the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development reflects his extensive background in agribusiness and corporate leadership.
Yusuf Ata – Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development
Yusuf Ata is a seasoned educator and former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly. He previously served as Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano on Assembly Matters and later on Inter-Governmental Affairs. With deep roots in Kano’s political scene, his experience in governance will be valuable in his new ministerial role.
Suwaiba Ahmad – Minister of State, Education
Suwaiba Ahmad is a trained educationist and gender advocate, currently a lecturer at Bayero University Kano. She is also the Director of the university’s Centre for Gender Studies. Ahmad has held various academic administrative roles, including Sub-Dean Academics and Head of Department for Science Education, bringing her expertise in education and gender equality to her ministerial duties.
Conclusion
With these new appointments, President Tinubu has set the stage for a rejuvenated cabinet to tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges. The diverse backgrounds of the new ministers promise fresh perspectives in government as the administration works towards its goals of economic recovery, security, and national development.
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2025 Budget is ambitious, growth sustaining -Prof Nnamchi
Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, a federal lawmaker, has praised the 2025 national budget proposal, calling it ambitious and growth-sustaining.
He believed that the budget was aimed at reassessing the government’s transformation agenda, its impact on the production and the overall economy in addition to making sure that the government’s monetary and fiscal policies were in tandem.
The proposed budget according to him, “is expected to bring down interest rates, support investments, promote production, and sustain growth and reduce inflation. He stressed.
Professor Nnamchi also acknowledged the progress made in security, particularly in the Niger Delta region, which has contributed to the increase in oil production from 1.2 barrels a day to 1.8 barrels a day.
Key highlights of the budget proposal include: A significant allocation to security, which Professor Nnamchi observed that it was crucial for addressing food security concerns and reducing the cost of staple foods.
“Increase in oil production and agriculture due to improved security situation in the troubled areas will raise our GDP significantly, which could bring down inflation from 39% to 15 % going by medium term expenditure frameworks”
He noted stressing that the budget outlined proposed measures that would also support investments, promote production, and sustain growth while reducing inflation.
Such measures, he stated includes investments in infrastructure development, which were expected to stimulate economic growth and attract foreign direct investments.
“While ambitious, this budget is grounded in sound economic principles, and its successful implementation will depend on our collective resolve as representatives of the people to ensure that every naira allocated serves its purpose and delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians.”
Overall, Professor Nnamchi emphasized the need to prioritize national interest and work towards moving the nation forward urging that Nigeria should be placed above sectional interest.
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Work for Peace and Unity of Nigeria’, Obi tasks Ohaneaze president, Mbata
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The leader of the opposition Labour Party and the 2023 Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, has admonished the newly elected leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Senator John Azuta Mbata to work towards peace and unity of the nation.
Writing on his X handle in a congratulatory message to the Executive, Obi urged the new Executive to leverage their position, which shows the people’s confidence in them to strengthen the Igbo family and unite the country.
“On behalf of my family and the Obedient movement, I congratulate the Newly Elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata; the Deputy President General, Prince Okey Nwadinobi; the Secretary-General, Emeka Sibeudu, and other newly elected executive members, on their emergence as the leaders of the noble organization.
“Their emergence as the leaders of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the umbrella body that unites the Igbo people, underscores the level of confidence and hope the people have in their leadership ability and their commitment to the development of the region and the nation in general.
“I pray that they will leverage their new offices to continue to work for the peace and unity of our nation and contribute immeasurably to ideas that will drive development, peace, and progress among the people.
“May God give you all, the wisdom and strength to serve the people.
A New Nigeria remains Possible.
News
Minor cabinet reshuffle: Delta gov redeploys Information Commissioner to Ministry of Special Duties
In a minor cabinet reshuffle, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has redeployed Information Commissioner to Ministry of Special Duties.
As part of the changes, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, the Commissioner for Information, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Special Duties.
In the interim, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, the Commissioner for Works, Rural and Riverine Roads, will oversee the Ministry of Information.
Also, a reliable source within the inner circle of the government has also verified the same development.
There are mixed reactions among journalists regarding Governor Oborevwori’s directive for the Ministry of Information to be overseen by Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu.
This sentiment stems from lingering grievances over the fallout between journalists and the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Journalists have expressed dissatisfaction with Okowa’s refusal to acknowledge their efforts during his eight-year tenure with a ‘parting gift.’
It is worth recalling that Okowa was accused of denying journalists of same gesture of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, fully implemented by Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, extended to media professionals, both government house press crew and those outside the Government House.
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