Cablegate: Nigeria: New Ministers Announced

VZCZCXRO4243
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #1625/01 2081155
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271155Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0435
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 7509
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0482
RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0477
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001625

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NEW MINISTERS ANNOUNCED

REF: ABUJA 1446

ABUJA 00001625 001.2 OF 002

THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET
DISTRIBUTION.

1. (SBU) President Umaru Musa Yar'adua administered the oath of
office to his 39-member cabinet on July 26 at the presidential villa
in Abuja. The President gave a stern warning that the
Administration will not tolerate corruption and indiscipline in the
public service. The ministers were officially assigned their
portfolios after a 3-week nationally televised screening by the
Nigerian senate.

2. (SBU) As expected, the appointments represent a balance of the
complex interests of several constituencies: geographical zones,
gender, religion, ethnicity and party affiliations. The newly
appointed Ministers of Finance, Labor, Health, Justice, Commerce and
Information are generally considered well-qualified and a good fit
for their new portfolios. On the other hand, the press has
criticized the appointment of Ministers of Education, Defense,
Transport, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, and the Federal Capital
Territory, claiming the professional backgrounds of the new
ministers are not appropriate to the portfolios. Like President
Obasanjo before him, Yar'adua will retain the Minister of Energy
portfolio; Ministers of State for Energy have been appointed to
cover petroleum, gas and power.

3. (SBU) Bode Augusto, a nominee from Lagos State and former Special
Adviser to President Obasanjo was rejected by the senators for his
"contempt and arrogance." Reports indicate he told Senators during
his screening that "his eight year-old daughter could answer the
questions" he was being asked. The position of Minister of Works
remains unfilled and it is believed this position will be held for
Augusto's replacement, who will also come from Lagos State.

4. (SBU) The new ministers are:

Attorney General, Minister of Justice -- Michael Kaase Aondokaa

Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources -- Sayyadi Abba Ruma

Minister of State, Agriculture and Water Resources -- Adamu Maina
Waziri

Minister of Commerce and Industry -- Charles Chukwuma Ugwu

Minister of State, Commerce and Industry -- Ahmed Garba Bichi

Minister of Culture and Tourism -- Adetokunbo Kayode

Minister of State, Culture & Tourism -- Aliyu Idi Hong

Minister of Defense -- Mahmud Yayale Ahmed

Minister of State, Defense -- Fidelia Akuabata Njeze

Minister of Education -- Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu

Minister of State, Education (1) -- Agada Anthony Jerry

Minister of State, Education (2) -- Aishatu Jibril Dukku

Minister of Energy - President Umaru Musa Yar'adua

Minister of State, Energy (Power) -- Fatima Balarabe Ibrahim

Minister of State, Energy (Petroleum) -- Henry Odein Ajumogobia

Minister of State, Energy (Gas) -- Odusina Olatunde Emmanuel

Minister of Environment and Housing -- Halima Tayo Alao

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) -- Aliyu Modibbo Umar

Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) -- John James
Akpanudoedehe

Minister of Finance -- Shamsudeen Usman

ABUJA 00001625 002.2 OF 002

Minister of State, Finance -- Aderemi Babalola

Minister of Foreign Affairs -- Ojo Maduekwe

Minister of State, Foreign Affairs (1) -- Tijani Yahaya Kaura

Minister of State, Foreign Affairs (2) -- Bagudu M. Hirse

Minister of Health -- Adenike Grange

Minister of State, Health -- Gabriel Yakubu Aduku

Minister of Information and Communication -- John Ogar Odey

Minister of State, Information and Communication -- Ibrahim Dasuki
Nakade

Minister of Interior -- Godwin Abbe

Minister of State, Interior -- Hassan Haruna

Minister of Labor -- Hassan Mohammed Lawal

Minister of Mines and Steel Development -- Sarafa Tunji Isola

Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development -- Ahmed Mohammed
Gusau

Minister of Transport -- Deziani Alison-Madueke

Minister of State, Transport (2) -- John Okechukwu Emeka

Minister of Science and Technology -- Grace Ekpiwhre

Minister of Youth Development -- Akinlabi Olasunkanmi

Minister of Women Affairs -- Saudatu Usman Bungudu

Minister/Deputy Chairman National Planning Commission -- Muhammed
Sanusi Daggash

Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission -- Abdulrahman Hassan
Gimba

GRIBBEN

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