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