NOW THAT THE MINISTERS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED PORTFOLIOS

Following the release of the names of ministers and their assigned portfolios by the federal government, the public space has been awash with comments by Nigerians from all divide on the appropriateness or otherwise of the ministers and their portfolios, which is in line with the spirit and tenets of democracy that engenders debates and discussion on issues.

While one has watched the development with keen interest and has been measuring public opinion on the matter, one has been assailed with calls by some concerned Nigerians who are of the opinion that their expectations for some of the ministerial portfolios have not been met which is also a positive development for our participatory democracy.

Just like some of the callers, one was also taken aback by some of the assigned ministerial portfolios because as a human being, one must have his expectations and bias on issues, except if we want to play hide and seek, but knowing fully well that the factors which influences the decision on assigning ministerial portfolios goes beyond the personal professional accomplishment of the person, which is the major yardstick for determinant by the thinking of these group of Nigerians, one had to respond and bring them to the reality of the determinants being a multiplicity of factors, some of which are known only to Mr President.

There are quite a number of other factors and undercurrents which are largely unknown to the public, but also play a big role in who gets what portfolio either as a minister or commissioner in a government.

For those who fall into a person’s professional competence as the sole determinant of the ministerial portfolio school of thought, they also need to be availed of the fact, that even as a President, one must engage in serious consultations across several spectrum both locally and internationally in picking his cabinet, though notwithstanding that whichever way it goes, the buck finally stops at Mr President’s table to make the final decision.

A minister or commissioner is the political head of a ministry which is the engine room for achieving a government manifesto. The ministries are peopled at the top layer by professionals who are experts versed in the technical aspect of the ministry core competence and so what the minister does, is to implement the administration manifesto through the ministry.

A minister or commissioner assigned to a ministry is not to implement his own personal agenda and a ministry does not also have its own agenda, but the administration of the day agenda of which he or she is a part and that informs why the administration holds weekly meetings to appraise and take decisions on developments in actualizing it’s agenda via the various ministries, departments and agencies.

What is needed to head a ministry is professional competence and character, so long as these two qualities are possessed by a person, then the political headship of the ministry is good to go.

The list of assigned portfolio ministers by all standards, are men and women who have excelled in their chosen fields, whatever portfolios they are assigned is secondary because their professional competence, managerial skill and character to deliver on the Renewed Hope mandate is not in doubt, what is expected now, is for them to be indoctrinated and given the marching order to go and deliver on the Renewed Hope of peace, progress and prosperity for the collective good of the Nigerian people.

Now that the ministers have been assigned portfolios, delivery on Renewed Hope is next and it is non negotiable.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,