Tinubu swears in Bianca Ojukwu, six new ministers

President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Bianca Ojukwu and six other newly-appointed ministers during a ceremony held at the Council Chambers in Abuja.

With their appointments, the ministers are now tasked with the responsibility of contributing to the progress and stability of Nigeria under Tinubu’s leadership.

Recall that the ministers were screened and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate last week.

Those sworn in include Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Nentawe Yilwatda as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as the Minister of Labour & Employment.

Others are Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (Trade and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development), Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister of State, Housing, and Urban Development), and Suwaiba Said Ahmad as the Minister of State Education.

In his address to the ministers, Tinubu asked them not to shy away from responsibilities.

“Nigeria’s head is above the waters. This ship will not sink. We will not run away from our responsibilities,” he said.

“I am proud to lead you and we will lead you to success and prosperity… We have taken the bull by the horns. We have stopped the scavengers and profiteers…”

“… Nigeria’s head is above the waters. This ship will not sink. We will not run away from our responsibilities. I am proud to lead you and we will lead you to success and prosperity… We have taken the bull by the horns. We have stopped the scavengers and profiteers… “…

Monday’s swearing-in came days after their appointments by President Tinubu and subsequent confirmation by the Senate.

Calls for the reshuffling of the president’s cabinet reached new levels in the wake of Nigeria’s dwindling economic fortunes which have worsened the living standards across the country

President Tinubu heeded the calls in October, sacking five ministers and nominating seven others. Those dismissed included Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (Women Affairs); Lola Ade-John (Tourism); Tahir Mamman (Education); Abdullahi Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development).

This was in addition to the reassignment of new portfolios to 10 other ministers.