NIGERIA: NEW MINISTERS ANNOUNCED

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