Jonathan carries out minor cabinet reshuffle

Following the resignation of seven ministers from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), who left to pursue their political ambitions, President Goodluck Jonathan has carried out a minor cabinet reshuffle.

Last week, Onyebuchi Chukwu, health minister; Darius Ishaqu, minister of state for Niger Delta; Samuel Ortom, minister of state for trade and investments; Nyesom Wike, minister of state for education; Labaran Maku, minister of information; Emeka Wogu, minister of labour and productivity, and Musiliu Obanikoro, minister of state for defence, indicated their intentions to opt for gubernatorial positions, hence resigning from the cabinet.

As part of the minor reshuffle, the minister of state (2) for foreign affairs, Nurudeen Mohammad, will now supervise the Ministry of Information; minister of state (1) for foreign affairs, Viola Onwuliri, will now be minister of state for education; the minister of state for health, Haliru Alhassan, will now supervise the Ministry of Health; the minister of trade and investments, Olusegun Aganga, will now oversee the office of the minister of state for trade and investments; the minister of special duties, Kabiru Turaki, will now oversee the Ministry of Labour and Productivity; the minister of Niger Delta will oversee the office of the minister of state for Niger Delta, while the minister of defence, Lt. Gen Aliyu Gusau (rtd), is to oversee the functions of the minister of state for defence..

This was announced by the supervising minister of information while briefing journalists after the weekly FEC meeting.

ELIZABETH ARCHIBONG