Targets Before Buhari’s New Ministers

As the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration officially takes off following the swearing in of the new ministers, Nigerians are expecting that the new cabinet members would as a matter of urgency swing into action and set the ball rolling in view of the daunting challenges bedeviling the nation.

THE WHISTLER highlights some key ministries which is expected that the citizens will feel their impact as quickly as possible to include.

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Ministry Of Defence:

The new Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (RTD) must show commitment and urgency in tackling all threats to the security of the country, most especially the Boko Haram insurgency.

He must work with security chiefs and other stakeholders.

He must also maintain a proper balance in arms and men to meet the needs of internal and external security.

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The minister must also be able to manage all branches of the Armed Forces of the country.

The New Minister

Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (RTD) was appointed Governor of Sokoto State between August 1990 to January 1992 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Magashi is a lawyer and a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. He holds a national award of CFR.

During the intrigues leading to General Sani Abacha’s assumption of power in November 1993, Brig. General Bashir S Magashi was given command of the Brigade of Guards in September. He was a member of the Abacha Military Caucus that reviewed the military and the political situation resulting from annulment of the 12 June 1993, issuing a report title The Way Forward with recommendations for a partial military regime.

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As an ex-military personnel, Nigerians are optimistic Gen. Magashi will bring his wealth of experience to bear on this new responsibility.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama must ensure xenophobic killings of Nigerians especially in South Africa stops immediately.

He must also ensure more proactive response to top issues affecting Nigerians in other parts of the world.

The Minister

Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama is coming back for the second time as Nigeria’s minister for foreign affairs. Onyeama was first appointed minister in November 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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He began his career as a Research Officer in the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Lagos from 1983 to 1984. He then worked as a lawyer with Mogboh and Associates in Enugu, Nigeria from 1984 to 1985. In 1985, he joined the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as an Assistant Programme Officer for Development Cooperation and External Relations, Bureau for Africa and Western Asia. He rose through the ranks at the WIPO to become Deputy Director General for the Development Sector in 2009. In November 2015 he was appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ministry Of Agriculture:

Following the ban on food importation into the country by President Muhammadu Buhari, the new Agriculture Minister, Sabo Nanono will now be saddled with the responsibility of mapping out programmes and strategies towards ensuring adequate food security in the country.

Mr. Nanono is expected to set the ball rolling because like the saying, “a hungry man is an angry man.”

He should facilitate better access to agricultural credits in the sector.

The New Minister

Alhaji Sabo Nanono is a Kano State traditional title holder and illustrious farmer.

With these credentials, Nanono is expected to bring the desired impact to the ministry.

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