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Friday, August 19, 2011
Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Wednesday at the presidential Villa, Abuja took her oath of office and resume membership in the Federal Executive Council.
President Goodluck Jonathan, shortly after the swearing in, welcomed her on board what he called a familiar terrain since she had once been a member of the Council.
Mr. Jonathan also announced the creation of a new 24 member government Economic team, with Mrs Okonjo-Iweala as the coordinator. The president is Chairman of the team, with Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo as the Vice Chairman.www.mannastores.com
Mr Jonathan said the Finance Minister, who had served in the same capacity in 2000, did not ask to be paid in foreign currency and will be paid like her other colleagues.
"Let me thank you for accepting to come and serve because, considering the position you were holding at the World Bank, it is difficult for you to come back to serve as minister in a country," he said. "And I am saying this with all pride because when your name was made known and it entered the media, anywhere I go Heads of State and Government were wondering why you would even agree to come and they were appreciative of me, especially the African presidents, that I did well to pull you back home to help to solve the African problem because they know your worth in the world Bank."
He also thanked other ministers who were brought in from the diaspora, stating that he knows how challenging it is to relocate to Nigeria.
Mr. Jonathan also said he is currently very happy with the ministers on board, because they have so far been proactive, adding that this makes the job of the finance minister easier as the people are already working together with each other.
"I will give all the ministers the political support to do what they are meant to do and I believe all of you will succeed," he said.
The president said after the Sallah celebrations, the different ministries will present comprehensive briefings on "where we are and where we want to go".
"One minister told me that, ‘Mr. President, after one year, the government would not need to spend money in my sector, we would be able to generate enough funds to drive my sector' and I said if we can get that kind of ministers in all the sectors it would be lovely".
He further said so far he is pleased with interactions he has had with some of the current ministers "they have the spirit, the willingness to work hard to change our country. I think I would be one of the luckiest Presidents that would have this kind of cabinet. So let me once again thank you and indeed all the ministers for accepting to serve our country".
Economic management team
President Goodluck Jonathan has constituted a 24man Federal Government Economic Management Team.
Other members of the Economic Management Team include: Minister of National Planning; Minister of Trade and Investment; Minister of Power; Minister of Petroleum Resources; Minister of Agriculture; Minister of Works; Minister of Education; Minister of Health; Minister of State Finance; Minister of State Health; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Chief Economic Adviser; Special Adviser to the President on Monitoring and Evaluation; Director General Budget office; Director General, Debt Management Office; Director General, Bureau for Public Procurement;
Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission; Honourary Adviser to the President on Agriculture and Governor of Adamawa State; Honourary Adviser to the President on Finance and Governor of Anambra State; Honourary Adviser on Economy and President, Nigerian Economic Society and Atedo Peterside.
The will be inaugurated on Thursday at the council hall of the presidential villa.
Announcing the constitution of the team, Mr. Jonathan said the Mrs Okonjo-Iweala had introduced the idea of the Economic Management Team during President Olusegun Obasanjo's regime.
"This time around, we are expanding the Economic Team because we believe the country is one," he said. "Yes, the states have their own economies but if there is no proper coordination in the management of the economy, between the federal government and the states, we cannot go anywhere as a nation. And that is why there will some governors as members, but Ngozi is brought in to coordinate all economic activities of the federal government and of course by extension help the states".
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