*Council commends him

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday, tasked the two new ministers, Stephen Ocheni (Kogi) and Suleiman Hassan (Gombe) to focus on the concepts outlined in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan(ERGP).

He also told both ministers to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.

He said they must explore ways of assisting the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in surmounting some of its challenges which cuts across security and corruption.

He gave the charge after both personalities were sworn into office as substantive ministers. They assumed duties immediately on the directive of the Acting President.

“We welcome you to the Federal Executive Council, where you have just been sworn in from being ministerial nominees to ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“From this moment you will join the Federal Executive Council and will sit in our meeting this morning. So you will not have time to celebrate much this morning. You will have full meeting today.

“The FEC is one that is committed to the very far reaching reform programme of this government. That reform programme is contained in our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

“We have to focus our attention on key areas of the economic recovery plan and we believe those key areas are things that need to be done to make a difference in the Nigerian economy and in the lives of Nigerians.

“Time and time again we have continued to emphasize the need for ministers to pay particular attention to all the areas that we have highlighted in the economic plan.

“President Muhammadu Buhari decided to task ministers with specific functions and so we expect our new ministers to be part of this herculean task in turning around the Nigerian economy and making live better for the citizens.

“Beside the economy, we have two key areas highlighted by the President during the course of the campaigns which have become center pieces of our administration’s programme – security and the anti-corruption fight.

“We expect that members of FEC will focus on these key areas as well. We have of course made tremendous progress in security, we have issues and challenges here and there but they are very minor compared to where we were coming from and we are tackling them on a day by day basis.

“On the anti corruption fight, we are focused we believe that the primary thing is for those of us who have the privilege of serving to ensure that by our own point and actions we support the anti corruption fight and also that our conducts will be exemplary so that we will show by practice not just by words that we are determined to ensure that this country is run by a good government, where there is honesty and integrity service will be delivered,” Osinbajo told the ministers.

Both ministers appointment became necessary, following the death of former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi.

While former Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed was appointed as Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations.

Their swearing in formalities had been stalled, following the absence of President Buhari who is away in London recuperating from an undisclosed ailment.

The President is expected back anytime soon.

Prior to Wednesday’s event, it was alleged that Osinbajo was reluctant to swear in the two ministers, however, controversies that ensued after their successful screening at the National Assembly may have compelled him to formally bring them into the federal cabinet.

…Council commends Acting President on inauguration of Ocheni as Minister

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kogi Council on Wednesday, applauded President Muhammad Buhari and the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo over the appointment and inauguration of Prof. Stephen Ocheni as Minister.

Ocheni, who hails from Kogi is a patron of NUJ in the state.

The Council Chairman, Alhaji Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh and Secretary, Ademu Seidu, made the commendation in a statement they issued in Lokoja on Wednesday.

The council said Kogi had again got a voice in the Federal Executive Council with the inauguration of Ocheni

According to them, the inauguration of Ocheni as Minister of the Federal Republic represents the restoration of the hope for Kogi people in making their contribution to the political development of Nigeria.

The union described the new minister as a rare professional who would no doubt contribute positively to drive the change agenda of the Federal Government.

The council assured that the minister had all it takes to make Kogi and the entire country at large proud and wish him well in his new assignment.

Ocheni replaces Mr James Ocholi (SAN), former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, who died in an auto crash on Kaduna-Abuja highway on March 16, 2016.