President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has partially reshuffled his cabinet to fill the space created by the exit of seven ministers, who resigned to seek elective offices in different state.
The ministers left the cabinet on October 20 in line with the mandate of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The cabinet reshuffle was announced on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council Meeting held in Abuja and presided over by President Jonathan.
Briefing reporters at the end of the meeting, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, who is now to oversee the Ministry of Information, said that the Minister of State I, Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, had been moved to Education while the Minister of State, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan would oversee the Minister of Health.
The Minister of Special Duties, Mr Kabiru Turaki, is to oversee the Ministry of Labour and Productivity while the Minister of Defence, Mr Aliyu Guasu, will combine his duties with those of the Minister of State, Defence.
Also, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Stephen Oru, will combine his responsibilities with those of the Minister of State, Defence vacated by Dr. Darius Ishaku; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, will combine his duties with those of the Minister of State previously held by Samuel Ortom.
Dr Mohammed said that the ministers appointed to supervise other ministries were to act in the capacity pending when substantive ministers would be named.
It is not yet clear if President Jonathan will forward new names to the National Assembly for appointment as new ministers, as the administration has few months in office before the 2015 general elections.
