By Sodiq Yusuf
President Muhammadu Buhari’s list of Ministers to join the next Level team has been a subject of rigorous scrutiny from all fronts.
This edition will peruse the progressives that made the 43 man cut from Nigeria’s most populous Northern region.
George Akume
Senator George Akume is from Benue State in North central Nigeria. Akume is a Former Governor and a two term senator. His contributions to the progressive fold cannot be overemphasized as he is one of those that have been championing the emancipation of Benue state from the clutches of the conservatives.
His addition to the list of Ministers is however a deserved one going by his antecedents in governance, being a member of the legislature and most importantly, his political relevance in his state.
Lai Mohammed
Alhaji Lai Mohammed From Kwara State is one of the 12 returning Ministers in Buhari’s cabinet. Mohammed since his elevation as Chief of Staff to Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos state has been a loyal party man always.
In his role as the publicist of the then Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria metamorphosing to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC as opposition parties cannot be underrated.
Mohammed’s continued doggedness and loyalty earned him the nomination as the immediate past Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism. Lai Mohammed is a strong ally of the Tinubu camp and a goal getter.
His addition to the new team is a reward of his continued loyalty to the party and the cause of progressivism in Nigeria.
Gbemisola Saraki
Gbemisola is the younger sister of the former Governor of Kwara state and the President of the senate, Bukola Saraki. Gbemisola has been a member of the House of Representatives and the Nigerian Senate. She is a strong supporter and loyal to the progressive course.
As one of the females chosen by President Buhari from the North, Gbemi is seen as a powerful entry to this list owing to her relentless commitment to the re-ignition of progressivism in Kwara politics in the just concluded elections as well as her continued resistance of the dominance of her brother in Kwara politics.
Gbemisola, according to many will perform diligently in the new national assignment as she looks forward to contribute her quota to the development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
Zanaib Ahmed
Before her redeployment as the Minister for Finance in the President’s first term, nothing was known about the proficiency of Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed who was the then Minister of State for budget and national planning.
But her appointment as Minister for Finance gave insights to the multi various attributes she possess. In her capacity, she worked assiduously to fast track some of the laudable programmes of the Federal Government monetarily as well as giving the sufficient financial backing to states in times of need.
Ahmed is in pole position to return to her former position as she awaits screening and confirmation from the Senate.
Issa Ali Pantami
From Gombe state comes another progressive, Alhaji Ali Isa Pantami. He boasts of an impressive progressive record in politics and governance.
The decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to test him with ministerial nomination explains the essence of his wisdom and capabilities to drive the next Level agenda.
At OsunDefender, we wish the nominees a hitch free screening process as we look forward to their indelible mark in the progress and development of the country.
