Immediate past Corps Marshal and Chairman of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka, has been named the new Minister of Aviation by President Goodluck Jonathan. He replaces Princess Stella Oduah, who left the position earlier in the year.

Jonathan also named Dr. Suleman Abubakar, until lately a lecturer at the University of Abuja, as the new Minister of National Planning and Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC).

Jonathan announced the portfolios this morning after swearing in the two new ministers shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

He also named Deputy Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi as Chidoka’s successor at the FRSC.

The President urged the new appointees to ensure that they leave their footprints in the offices to which they have been appointed.

On Oyeyemi, Jonathan said he decided to appoint him from the commission in order to ensure stability.

This, he added, was a clear departure from what had been obtainable in the FRSC since its inception when its heads were appointed from outside the system.

•Photo shows Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka.