Nigeria Acting Leader Names Cabinet Nominees

The list of names — which did not give portfolios — consisted of nine members of the outgoing cabinet, including former junior oil minister Odein Ajumogobia, and new figures including Olusegun Aganga, a London-based managing director at Goldman Sachs.

“I forward herewith the names of the first batch of nominees for appointment as ministers of government … for the consideration and confirmation of the Senate,” Senate President David Mark said before reading out the list.

There are more than 40 ministers in the cabinet and a second list was expected to follow for Senate approval.

Jonathan sacked all government ministers last Wednesday in a bid to assert his authority a month after assuming executive powers, and the fast appointment of a new team could ease political uncertainty in Africa’s most populous nation.

Other nominees from the outgoing cabinet include former Information Minister Dora Akunyili, former Justice Minister Adetokunbo Kayode, former National Planning Minister Shamsuddeen Usman and former Minister of State for the Niger Delta Godsday Orubebe.

Among the new nominees are Mutallab Yar’Adua, a close relative of ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua, and Jubril Martins Kuye, a one-time junior finance minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Reuters