Aregbesola charged with sorting out Nigeria’s insecurity problems after being named interior minister

FORMER Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola has been given the task of addressing Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity problems today after he was sworn in as the new federal minister for the interior with responsibility for the police.

Nearly three months after he was sworn-in for a second term, President Muhammadu Buhari finally constituted his cabinet today. A total of 43 ministers were sworn-in at a ceremony in Abuja with Mr Aregbesola put in charge of internal affairs, while another former governor, Mr Timpire Silva was named as minister of state for petroleum, with ex-Akwa Ibom governor Senator Godswill Akpabio appointed as minister in charge of Niger Delta affairs.

Other new appointees include Senator Gbemi Saraki given the transport portfolio, dare Sunday being named sports minister and Adeniyi Adebayo appointed as minister of industry, trade and investment. Those returning to their old jobs include foreign minister Geoffrey Onyema, works minister Babatunde Fashola, labour minister Chris Ngige, finance minister Zainab Ahmed and science and technology minister Ogbonnaya Onu.

Mohammed Bello is the Federal Capital Territory minister, Sharon Ikeazu is the environment minister, Adamu Adamu the education minister, while Dr Osagie Ehanire is the health minister. Isa Pantami is the new communications minister, while Bashir Magashi is the defence minister and Festus Keyamo is the minister of state for Niger Delta affairs.

On his new role as interior minister, Mr Aregbesola will be responsible for the police, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Immigrations Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Apart from policing, this will mean he has overall responsibilities for matters like international passport issuance, customs revenue and securing Nigeria’s borders.

Full list of ministers

(1) Dr Ukachukwu Ogah – (Abia) – Mines and steel
(2) Muhammed Musa Bello – (Adamawa) -Federal Capital Territory
(3) Senator Godswill Akpabio – (Akwa Ibom)- Niger Delta
(4) Chris Ngege – (Anambra) – Labour and employment
(5) Sharon Ikeazu – (Anambra) – Minister of state for the environment
(6) Adamu Adamu – (Bauchi) – Education
(7) Ambassador Mariam Katagum – (Bauchi) – Minister of state for trade, industry and investment
8) Timipre Silver – (Bayelsa) – Minister of state for petroleum
(9) Senator George Akumeh – (Benue) – Special duties
(10) Mustapha Baba Shehuri – (Borno) – Minister of state for agriculture and rural development
(11) Goddy Jedi Agba – (Cross River) – Minister of state for power
(12) Festus Keyamo – (Delta) – Minister of state for Niger Delta affairs
(13) Ogbonnaya Onu – (Enugu) – Science and technology
(14) Dr Osagie Ehanire – (Edo) – Health
(15) Clement Anade Agba – (Edo) – Minister of state for budgetary affairs
(16) Adeniyi Adebayo – (Ekiti) – Trade and investment
(17) Geoffrey Onyeama – (Enugu)- Foreign affairs
(18) Ali Pantami – (Gombe)- Communication
(19) Emeka Nwajuba – (Imo) – minister of state for education
(20) Sulaiman Adamu – (Jigawa) – Water resources
(21) Zainab  Ahmed – (Kaduna)- Finance
(22) Dr Mohammed Mahmoud – (Kaduna)- Environment
(23) Sabo Nanono – (Kano) – Agriculture
(24) Major Geneneral Bashir Magashi  – (Kano) – Defence
(25) Hadi Sirika – (Katsina) – Aviation
(26) Abubakar Malami – (Kebbi) – Justice and attorney-general
(27) Ramatu Tijani – (Kogi) – Minister fo state for FCT
(28) Lai Mohammed – (Kwara) – Information
(29) Gbemisola Saraki – (Kwara) – Minister of state for transport
(30) Babatunde Raji Fashola – (Lagos) – Works and housing
(31) Senator Adeleke Mamora – (Lagos) – Minister of state for health
(32) Mohammed  Abdullahi – (Nasarawa) – Minister of state for science and technology
(33) Ambassador Zubairu Dada – (Niger) – Minister of state for foreign affairs
(34) Olamilekan Adegbiti – (Ogun) – Minister of state for steel
(35) Senator Tayo Alasuadura – (Ondo) -Minister of state for labour and employment
(36) Rauf Aregbesola – (Osun) – Interior
(37) Sunday Dare – (Oyo) – Youth and sports
(38) Pauline Tallen – (Plateau) – Wommen’s affairs
(39) Rotimi Amaechi – (Rivers) – Transportation
(40) Mohammed Maigari Dangadi – (Sokoto) – Minister of state for police affairs
(41) Engr. Sale Mamman – (Taraba) – Mninister of state for power
(42) Abubakar B. Aliyu – (Yobe) – Minister of state for works
(43) Sadiya Faruk – (Zamfara) – Minister of state for humanitarian affairs