The technocrats and political bigwigs that will feature in President Buhari’s cabinet, has been on the lips on many concerned stakeholders, as presidential inauguration draws nearer. According to reports on social media many stakeholders in the cabinet believe the President wont be returning most of the Ministers in the first cabinet.

You may recall that, Premiumtimes earlier reported that Mr Buhari stated that he did not discuss the issue of the appointment of new cabinet ministers with anybody.

The president said: “I didn’t discuss with anybody. So, I don’t know how they knew about it. I didn’t discuss it with anybody.’’

However, in a swift reaction, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has urged staff of the ministry to support his successors the way they supported him.

Mohammed who made this plea at a valedictory and handover ceremony organized for him by the ministry pointed out that their support is very important for the success of the government’s anti-corruption war.

This is as the staff described him as one who fears controversy contrary to what the general public thinks.

Director Legal, ministry of Information and Culture, JK Ehichioya said: “there are times we advise the minister, and he will be reluctant to implement them because he was concerned about the response of the general public”.

Ehichionya also said the minister wasn’t as impervious as what people think adding that Alhaji Lai Mohammed performed his duties diligently and can be ruthless and merciless with his pen and tongue.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Grace Isu Gekpe described the minister as one who has a penchant for thoroughness and is endowed with detribalised sense of mission to serve.

She prayed that the minister “returns to move the ministry to the next level” stating that all the directors and staff are optimistic that he will return.

While responding, Alhaji Mohammed said that his tenure as the minister recorded huge success because of the industrial harmony he enjoyed with the different unions under the ministry.

He said as a result of the industrial harmony he enjoyed with the various unions, the “achievement we recorded within the last three and a half years would not have been possible”.

He appreciated the members of staff of the ministry and especially thanked the special assistants to the president attached to his office who worked “to tirelessly to ensure he delivered”

 

Source: thenationonlineng