Daily Independent (Lagos)
25 May 2011
Asaba — Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday presided over the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting ahead of his inauguration as President on Sunday.
He did not dissolve the cabinet, instead he thanked Ministers for their national service and expressed hope they will be available for more service if the need arises.
Information and Communications Minister, Labaran Maku, informed reporters that the meeting was exciting and showed unity of purpose, and that Jonathan directed all Ministers to remain in their posts until he decides otherwise, “even if till the last minute.”
Ministers expressed gratitude to Jonathan for giving them the opportunity to serve the nation, and praised him for his “legendary humility and patience” and for steering the ship of state aright since he assumed office on May 6 last year.
“All members of council today took time to thank God and thanked Mr. President for having confidence in them, most members admitted that before the appointment they didn’t have any relationship with the President but that he had accepted and appointed them meant that he is a leader of vision prepared to give opportunity to everyone from every part of the country no matter your background,” Maku recounted.
He said Jonathan’s leadership, which culminated in the internationally acclaimed elections last month, has restored the honour and dignity of Nigeria at home and abroad, and the ministers prayed for God to enable him succeed in the new administration.
Maku added that the Ministers believe that Jonathan in the last one year that he has been directly in charge has evolved a programme for national transformation.
“We urged him to keep his eye on the gold to ensure that in the next four years he continues with his humility, yet with firmness and resolution to lead the country in the direction of change, direction of development and prosperity for our children.
“Everybody admitted that (Jonathan) has been acknowledged for less than his worth and service to the nation but all of us together believe in him and we believe also that this nation has not made a mistake by giving him the near unanimous national mandate he has gotten to rule for the next four years.”
But Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, dissolved his cabinet on Wednesday and equally sacked all other political appointees.
A statement issued in Asaba by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Beatrice Omeni, directed Commissioners and other political appointees to return all government property in their possession, especially cars, before Friday.
It thanked them for serving the state and contributing their quota to its development.
Uduaghan had sacked over 400 aides after the rerun election in January.
Some of them reportedly worked for opposition parties during the rerun election while others failed to deliver their areas for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It was learnt that Uduaghan is stunned by the high wage bill and plans to retain only strong loyalists he directed not to contest during the election last month but engage in grassroots mobilisation.
In Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola on Wednesday directed over 700 aides to render accounts of their stewardship, sequel to the dissolution of the cabinet on Monday.
Some Commissioners who served in the last four years are lobbying for a return to office, others have resigned to fate.
A circular issued by the Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe, instructed the aides to submit their hand over notes and submit today detailed accounts of their stewardship to Fashola’s Chief of Staff, Lanre Babalola.
They include Special Advisers (non-cabinet rank), Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants.
The circular noted that the performance of these individuals “greatly contributed to the modest achievements of this administration” towards improved service delivery to Lagosians.
It thanked them for their invaluable services and wished them success in their future endeavours.
It was learnt that some Commissioners, including Muiz Banire (Environment), Adeniji Adele (Youth and Sports), and Rotimi Oyekan (Finance) may not be in the new cabinet.
But Segun Ayobolu, who resigned from the cabinet last year may return, likewise Tunji Bello and Kemi Nelson.
A source confided that Babalola, and Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Supo Sasore, would “definitely keep their jobs” and that Fashola’s Advisers on Youth and Social Development and Transportation would be elevated to Commissioners.
“It is not totally the decision of Fashola to handpick his Commissioners, party cheiftains are also involved and would want to protect their interests,” the source said.
The Abia State Executive Council (SEC) also on Wednesday held its valedictory session, where Governor Theodore Orji thanked the members for their dedication, loyalty, and hard work.
Information and Strategy Commissioner, Anthony Agbazuere, said Orji did not formally dissolve the cabinet but allowed the members to remain until May 28 midnight when the life of the council would be seen to have ended naturally.
Agbazuere disclosed that the SEC approved the award of contract for the construction of roads in Aba and Umuahia valued at about N3 billion.
They include the Amaokwe-Amaiyi-Eluama Road (N392 million), Unity Garden Road, Osisioma (N831 million), Ukaegbu Road, Aba (N254 million), Samek Road, Aba (N275 million), the internal roads and landscaping of the women Development Centre, Umuahia (N84 million).
Chesa Chesa (abuja),Ekene Okoro (lagos),Ben Duru (umuahia) And Felix Igbekoyi
AllAfrica – All the Time
Continued here:
Jonathan Keeps Cabinet Ahead of Inauguration