By Boma Nwuke
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will in a few hours from now,inaugurate the newly appointed Ministers. This would give the green light to the ministers go to their respective offices and begin the delivery of “Renewed Hope” the president’s electioneering campaign promise to the people of Nigeria.
The 45 minister- designates who by now have completed their documentation are to arrive the presidential villa for the oath taking in the morning with three invited guests each as anything other than this would incur the wrath of the eagle – eyed DSS officials at the villa gates.
However, that is not all that matters. What is of great interest and importance is the personalities appointed to man some ministries seen as priority and what is expected of them.
For the purpose of this discourse a few ministries are highlighted. First is the ministry of Finance.The Ministry of Finance and the Minister who is the coordinating Minister for the Nigerian Economy has a great role to play in fixing the economy , reducing poverty, sort out the Forex issues in a way the naira appreciates maximally. Spin the economy towards the direction of production and lessen the appetite for over consumption of foreign goods. The Minister,Wale Edun is expected to bring in his expertise to bear on this very important assignment.
Another Ministry Worthy of Mention is the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory FCT.
The FCT as the capital city of the country gives a sour or pleasant impression to a first time visitor. The city lacks the ambience, state of the arts infrastructure as some choice cities of the world. There is also a housing deficit,water scarcity and irregular power supply. The FCT also grapples with perennial flooding and near uncomfortable traffic jams especially around satellite towns and without doubts,the new Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who has earned a name for himself in view of his masterclass infrastructure delivery in Rivers State is expected to give the city that look that attracts the attention of Investors to the country.
At a time when the US Dollar has become so scarce and flying all time high and the naira very low, the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is apt and wise. It is expected that the ministry will churn in over $1.5 Trillion annually.The new Minister, Gboyega Oyetola has also been described as round peg in a round hole.
Ministry of Works. The designated minister is Senator David Umahi,an Engineer by profession.. He practically transformed Ebonyi State with good roads as governor to the envy of neighbours.other facilities he provided Medical University,Market and Airport among a few. He is expected to build roads and bridges connecting the East to West, West to South South and South to the North with his exceptional experience. Most of the roads in the country are not worthy to ply and have become death traps and kidnappers haven.
Dr Ali Pate, the Harvard Medical school professor is the Minister designate and coordinating Minister for Health. Ministry of Health is an essential ministry as without health, there can be no wealth. Over the years, institutions under the ministry were described as slaughter slabs as they experience dearths of infrastructure, equipment and manpower. Dr Pate,a seasoned medical professional is expected to tackle the challenges in this sector bearing in mind the “Renewed Hope” slogan.
Defence is another ministry full of expectations. With insurgency still very high in 23 Local Government Areas of Northern Nigeria, with banditry also growing progressively, across states of the country, there is so much for the man designated for the ministry to do. Luckily, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru,a chartered accountant knows his onions. During his term as Governor of Jigawa state, I was privileged to visit the state on working tour and from Kano to Jigawa capital,Dutse and other LGAs , there was no report of insecurity. His lieutenant Bello Matawalle also did not give bandits a breather in Zamfara during his time as governor.
Ministry of Arts Culture and Creative Economy. The minister designate is Hannatu Musawa a Lawyer and Rights Activist, This ministry has all it takes to be a spinner of foreign exchange into the coffers of the country. I watched Hannatu on Television where she bared her mind on what she intends to do to ensure that the confidence reposed in her in this direction is not betrayed. Hannatu ,an amiable personality full of emotions but determined to make the ministry one of the success stories of the Tinubu administration.
Ministry of Petroleum. Petroleum is chiefly the economic main stay of the country. Oil is the main source of our revenue. It is the energy which drives our industries for production of goods for local and international markets. The ministry has no Acting or substantial head but Ministers of State.though it is assumed to be under the supervision of the president and commander -in chief . Senator Heneiken Lokpobiri is the minster of state designate for Petroleum while Hon Ekperipe Ekpo is the minister of state to man Gas .Both were distinguished Members of the National Assembly at some point and are expected to bring in their best to stop Oil theft in the Niger Delta, increase the production level of crude and gas and give Nigerians a sense of satisfaction.Gas economy is very important for the country as it is expected to bring in the much needed foreign currency, Gas enables us save money,reduce climate change and increase energy sustainability.
Ministry of Solid Minerals. The new occupant of this seat that would take the oath shortly is Mr Dele Alake,a seasoned media practitioner, administrator. Nigeria is blessed with solid minerals in large quantities. They are gold, Gypsum, Iron ore, Lead/ Zinc, Bitumen, Marbles , Kaolin , Tantalite,Topaz etc. Despite this resources, earnings is absmally low. Having a great initiative and good supervision in this regard would direct unprecedented inflows of foreign currency into the country.
Ministry of Interior: This Ministry has one of the revenue yielding Parastatals, the Nigerian Immigration Service ( NIS) If properly positioned and supervised, Nigeria can earn a lot from the proceeds of passport booklets and visas .
Education is one Ministry that is not only broad but crucial for the development of the country. Public institutions have to be rehabilitated,revived and properly positioned for teaching and learning. They should be transformed from being in comatose states to standard schools in the fashion of the developed world for purposes of educational tourism and investment. The Minister designate,Prof Tahir Mamman, the former VC of Baze University, Abuja is expected to bring in his wealth of technical experience to drive the ministry to an expected height.
Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. This is another ministry that is expected to give the country an edge. Expectations are high in this regard. The safety of flights and passengers are non-negotiable. Airports are usually visitors delight .The safety and management of services at the airport for passengers are also very important. The new Minister, Festus Keyamo a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN is expected to fix the challenges in that sector especially, the use of contaminated aviation oil used to power an aircraft belonging to a recently suspended airline. Lights at the airports are very important for take off and landing in the night. Indeed, our airports should be prioritised.. Keyamo is also expected to unravel the mystery of the reportedly non – flying,non – existing Nigerian Air which has gulped billions of dollars.
Women Affairs : The Ministry of Women Affairs oversees issues of women. It aims to provide better life for the woman in terms of exposure to economic empowerment and other life sustaining measures. It is not a “Nyanga” ( To show off) ministry but one that lends a hand to women at all levels. In otherwords, it is the ministry that fosters sisterhood , pulls off the strings of idleness, early marriage, crude widowhood practices and maternal deaths. A lot is expected from Barrister Uju Ohanenye the minister designate.
The last but one of top priorities is the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy. In an age where the world has gone digital, it is wise for the president to have created this ministry and designate a player in the industry, Bosun Tijani to man it. The success of this ministry is
the elixir needed for the speedy return of the country to the centre of attraction.Nigerians expect, the Silicon Valley to berth in Nigeria soon.
