By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday swore in three additional ministers into his 48-member cabinet.
The brief swearing-in ceremony took place at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa in Abuja before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), meeting, which is the second in Tinubu’s administration.
This is coming nearly two weeks after the Senate cleared the trio after screening on October 4, 2023.
The new Ministers who took the oath of office are, Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Ayodele Olawande and Balarabe Lawal took the oath of office at 12:15pm.
Recall that on September 17, 2023, President Tinubu nominated Ibrahim and Olawande as Minister of Youth and Minister of State for Youth, respectively.
He also requested the Senate to screen Balarabe Lawal as minister from Kaduna.
Lawal, who served as secretary to the government under former Governor Nasir el-Rufai, replaces his principal in Tinubu’s cabinet as minister of environment.
Ibrahim, 37, hails from Kwara State. She is a medical doctor, politician development expert, and advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Before her recent appointment, she served as the National President of the APC Young Women Forum.
Olawande, 34, is a community development expert and youth leader within the All Progressives Congress
Before his nomination, Olawande served as the special adviser on innovation to the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, and office of the vice president Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. He occupied the role from 2019 to 2023.
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*Council observes a minute’s silence for Ajose-Adeogun
However, shortly before the meeting began, the Council observed a minute’s silence in honour of Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, who passed on July 1, 2023.
Ajose-Adeogun who died at the age of 96 was appointed the Minister of Federal Capital in 1976 by the Murtala Mohammed military regime and served in the position till 1979.
Present are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume; the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu; the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan and Ministers and Ministers of State.
Some of the ministries, departments, and agencies to present memos at the FEC meeting include the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
