Barely one week after being sworn in as new ministers, few of them have hit the ground running while others are still studying with keen interest how best to ensure a soft landing in their unfamiliar terrain. David Kabiyesi beams a searchlight to the deeds so far in this compilation.
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1.Nyesom Wike ( FCT Minister)
No one saw it coming, even the weather forecaster could not predict it, but this South-South politico capon du tutti hit the ground running right on his first day in office. Landlords as well as Real estate developers in FCT started growing grey hairs when news filtered in that Wike is set to embark on mass demolition of illegal structures in Abuja and its environment.
Known for his no-nonsense attributes, he ordered the arrest of a landlord whose building came crashing down last week and declared in clear terms that the Abuja metro railway must work again to alleviate the suffering of commuters in the nation’s seat of power. Call him the minister who hardly sleeps and you won’t be wrong.
2. David Umahi (Minister of Works)
Aware of several Goliaths on his path, the former Ebonyi State Governor is determined to supersede the achievement of his predecessors and avoid some of his pitfalls. Towards this end, he has been embarking on an official trip to see federal roads yearning for immediate attention. He then assured how he intends to construct roads that will last for a decade. Nigerians are hoping he’ll follow up his words with action.
3. Heineken Lokpobiri ( State, Petroleum Resources, Oil).
The “Creek Boy” as he is fondly called hardly sleeps as he would have wished since picking up his portfolio but for the hydra-headed cankerworm of oil-theft in the creeks. He did promise to increase oil quota within months, and his visits to the creeks to parley with the Navy is yielding positive fruits with several recent arrests of illegal crude oil vessels.
4. Festus Keyamo (SAN) Aviation
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has so far commenced the process of receiving comprehensive briefings on the state of affairs from all the departments under his ministry and all the agencies he supervises. He is working in line with the 2016 Aviation roadmap and promised to add to it.
5. Dele Alake (Solid Mineral Development)
Faced with the rising tide of illegal mining in all nooks and crannies of the country, the man who did excellently well handling information in the early days of President Tinubu in office, knows that talk is cheap when it comes to checkmating illegal mining. He has been compiling lists of locations noted for illegal mining with the hope of nipping it in the bud.
6. Wale Edun (Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy)
This thorough-breed banker has been busy meeting with the Capital market top brass who charged the Minister to deal decisively with a multiplicity of challenges arising from high inflation, foreign exchange (FX) shortage, low output growth and balance of payment crisis to boost local production and attract investment to the market. It’s not been business as usual in this highly demanding sector.
7.Adegboyega Oyetola (Transportation). Known for his slow start from the blocks only to finish well, nothing much has been heard from this ministry other than studying reports from his predecessor.
8. Minister of Power, Adedayo Adelabu
This is no doubt the most criticised sector of government, but Adelabu is determined to shed away those heavy tags by increasing the national grid. He has brought down the next of contractors handling works at Zugeru 700mw, Kanji dam as well Shiroro Dam to supply 460mw and 520mw respectively in the next six months.
9. Lola Ade-John (Tourism)
Criticised by her critics for kneeling down before President Tinubu while taking the oath of office, but all of that will not matter if she fails to hit the ground running. Her office has been bombarded by tour operators who want the country’s masterplan on tourism re-evaluated. The pressure is on.
10. Uche Nnaji (National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy)
Aware of several policies and strategic files of the Ministry, Uche Nnaji has been attending briefings with Directors and DGs on how best to implement those policies in their respective departments and agencies. Also, he has taken up the responsibility of meeting agency leaders on the need to work together.
11. Mohammed Badaru (Defence)
He is the busiest of them all! With the country still battling to wade off banditry and terrorism in the northeast, he has been working from dusk to dawn with the army to curtail the inherent farmer versus Fulani fight in Plateau state. It was a huge setback for the nation after the army lost 25 fighters in Niger State.
12. Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh
Two minutes walk to Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja remains his first major assignment since assuming office. He was there to inspect the edifice and has been quiet since then, but he is expected to inherit a sector that is constantly being monitored by everyone, and with Team Nigeria’s failure to pull the string in Budapest, he needs to brace up for a bumpy road ahead.
13. Prof. Mamman (State Education)
No one envies his portfolio considering the re-occurrence impasse between the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) and the Federal government. He has been warned by ASUU boss, Professor Oshodeke, to ensure his family stays back in the country to witness what students go through within the system.
14. Simon B. Lalong ( Labour and Employment)
The challenges in this sector are enormous, it’s far bigger than Plateau state security and clan crisis all rolled into one and Lalong would need to brace up if he really wants to survive the ministry. There have been calls for labour laws review while the International Labour Organization called for dialogue between labour chiefs and the government. He is been busy with a series of meetings and it remains to be seen how he can parley Nigeria Labour Congress to accept government terms following the removal of fuel subsidy and other economic policies.
15. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim ( Minister of State, Police Affairs)
She has been drumming it loud and clear why Police need to embrace professionalism in the line of duty. Her biggest headache would be to get the right support from Police IG. Many believe the rot in the Police is beyond redemption, but it is up to the minister to change that narrative.
16. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Abubakar Kyari (State, Agriculture and Food Security)
Federal Ministry of Food Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Abubakar Kyari and Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi are looking beyond ensuring food security in the country, Abdullahi is determined to export food to neighbouring countries. He admitted that he is faced with the daunting task of flooding which is triggered by climate change. He has been meeting farmers over fertilizers distributions
17. Ali Pate ( Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare)
His appointment is still a misery to many, but he is aware of the tasks ahead of him. Pate is still studying the terrain despite being tipped as the man to heal Nigeria’s ailing health sector.
18.Atiku Bagudu (Budget and Economic Planning)
The minister has been appealing for maximum cooperation and sacrifice of staff of the ministry since he assumed office. He admitted that the coming months will witness heavy lifting in line with his resolve to work meticulously to leverage the enormous human resources of the Ministry, and parastatals to unlock the country’s potential. He has been busy to ensure that the newly approved Social Protection Policy will be given special attention
19. Lateef Fagbemi ( Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,)
The Attorney General is yet to really resume work in full capacity, With all eyes fixed on the Judiciary to announce its verdicts of the Presidential Election impasse, he is gradually settling down to work.
20. Ishak Salaco (Environment and Ecological Management)
With many states not spared from the far-reaching consequences of the climate change threat, the minister has been making consultations with top technocrats in the ministry. His background as a medical doctor may have suggested that he is up for a tough run, but Salako is determined to work with staff to guide against incoming deluge triggered by climate change.
