After an acrimonious screening process, the senate finally approved President Buhari's 36 ministerial nominees last week and this week he is expected to administer the oath of office to them. With President Buhari stating that Nigeria is broke and he might not be able to pay ministers, some minister-designates have said they are ready to work for free.
Among the ministers who said they are prepared to work with a salary include Alhaji Adebayo Shittu and Professor Isaac Adewole. Alhaji Shittu is tipped top me the minister of state for works, while Professor Adewole is expected to be sworn-in as the new education minister.
Alhaji Shittu said: “It is an issue of national service and there is nothing too much to sacrifice. If that is what our situation in Nigeria demands, then we must put ourselves up selflessly, we cannot say because of selfishness, we cannot work selflessly.
“With my background as somebody from a very humble family, I know what poverty is and I have been experiencing it. I have been dogged in conforming to the dictates of politics and poverty and there is nothing too much to sacrifice for the service of our people.”
Professor Adewole, a former vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, added: “It is a great honour to serve one’s fatherland. Everything is not about money as it is a privilege and a great honour to serve.
Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, tipped to become the new minister for Niger Delta affairs, also said he did not accept to be a minister for personal and pecuniary gains. Speaking through his former aide, Ibim Semenitari, Governor Amaechi explained that he was interested in the development of Nigeria.
Ms Semenitari added: “If President Buhari has not said that he would not pay ministers, the question of whether Amaechi will work for free should not be necessary. We know that we are currently dealing with hard times.
"For us as a country, we will manage our costs. Amaechi has never run for anything because he is looking for money as his interest is in the development of Nigeria.”
Another minister-designate, James Ocholi, expected to become the attorney-general, said he will not run away from challenges. He added that he will be willing to devote time and attention to solving Nigeria's financial crisis before any other national issue.
Ministerial portfolios
Agriculture and natural resources - Audu Ogbeh (Benue)
Agriculture and natural resources (State) - Geoffrey Onyema (Enugu)
Attorney-general - James Ocholi (Kogi)
Aviation - Hadi Sirika (Katsina)
Defence - Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano)
Defence (State) - Dan Ali (Zamfara)
Education - Isaac Adewole (Osun)
Federal Capital Territory - Abubakar Bawa Bwari (Niger)
Federal Capital Territory (State) - Solomon Dalong (Plateau)
Finance - Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia)
Finance (State) - Kemi Adeosun (Ogun)
Foreign Affairs - Kayode Fayemi- (Ekiti)
Foreign Affairs (State) - Adamu Adamu (Bauchi)
Health - Osagie Ehanire (Edo)
Information, Communication Technology - Lai Mohammed (Kwara)
Interior - Cladius Omoleye Daramola (Ondo)
Labour - Anthony Onwuka (Imo)
Mines and Steel Development - Abubakar Malami (Kebbi)
National Planning - Amina Mohammed (Gombe)
Niger Delta Affairs - Rotimi Amaechi
Niger Delta Affairs (State) - Usani Uguru (Cross River)
Petroleum - Ibe Kachikwu (Delta)
Police Affairs - Chris Ngige (Anambra)
Power - Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)
Sports & Youth Development - Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)
Trade and Investment - Udo Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom)
Trade and Investment (State) - Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna)
Women Affairs - Khadija Bukar Ibrahim (Yobe)
Works & Transport - Ogbonaya Onu- (Ebonyi)
Works (State) - Adebayo Shittu (Oyo)
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