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Col. Augustine Akobundu (rtd.) is the new Minister of State for Defence. He was assigned the portfolio today by President Goodluck Jonathan, who swore him in with the seven other ministers recently confirmed by the Senate. The swearing-in took place before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.
Senator Patricia Akwashiki was named Minister of Information; Prof. Nicholas Ada, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs I; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs II; Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo, Minister of State for Health; Mrs. Hauwa Bappa, Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs; Mr. Kenneth Kobani, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment; and Senator Joel Ikeya, Minister of Labour and Productivity.
President Jonathan announced the elevation of erstwhile Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Alhassan, as the Minister of Health. Alhassan had been acting as Supervising Minister of Health since Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu resigned in 2014.
Addressing the ministers after the swearing-in ceremony, President Jonathan told them to braze up for the challenges that would come with being sworn in at an injury time such as this.
•Photo shows Akobundu.
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