By Eric Elezuo and Promise Oshewa

There are permutations from every corner regarding who President Muhammadu Buhari will nominate to form part of his next level cabinet even as expectations are rife that the President may likely take long to make his desire known. This is a fallout of the fact that more than one month after the inauguration of his second term administration, there are no signs in the horizon that ministers will take up tasks soon. However, there are indications that the list would be ready soon going by pronouncement of the President’s SSA on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on behalf of the government that appointment of ministers ‘will not take longer than necessary’.

While Mr President is still dilly-dallying over the issue, and while a cross section of Nigerians believe that he may not hit the ground running as soon as expected, Nigerians are beginning to make suggestions for the President because they desire highly rated technocrats and result-oriented professionals to make the ministerial list. It is of even more interest that Buhari has appointed his own personal staff, leaving unattended to, ministers’ list, which was once rumoured to have been submitted to the Senate.

It must not be taken for granted that if the list is not ready before the National Assembly goes on recess in July, Nigerians may have to wait till the end of September to know Buhari’s ministers.

The Assembly members returned to their various chambers on July 2, 2019, after a short break, and will go for another two months recess on July 26, 2019. It is therefore, imperative that the ministers are named, screened, approved and assigned portfolios before the date.

It is not contestable that the power to appoint ministers is constitutionally vested in Mr. President with the approval of the National Assembly but Nigerians believe both the executive and the legislature must make the right choice to achieve the next level agenda of the All Progressives Congress-led administration.

Consequently, as a follow up of our story earlier on Ministers That Shouldn’t Make Buhari’s Cabinet, TheBoss brings you trusted and tested technocrats who Nigerians wish could be selected to form the next cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari; men and women who will be rightly guided by responsibilities as clearly stipulated in Section 148 of the 1999 Constitution.

Below are personalities and their proposed suitable cabinet positions

JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL – OLISA AGBAKOBA 

Agbakoba is distinguished Maritime Lawyer who has devoted his life in the study of Advocacy and Law. He is a key leader in the country’s pro-democratic movement, and is known to have assisted in the furthering of human rights cause.

He was born on May 29, 1953 to Chief Justice Godfrey Ubaka and Mrs Phina Agbakoba in Jos. He later moved to Onitsha in 1965, two years before the Nigerian civil war. He attended Government Primary School, Jos from 1959 to 1960, Hillcrest School, Jos; 1961, Government Primary School Jos, 1962 1963; Zixton Public School Ozubulu in 1964 and Christ the King College, Onitsha between 1966 and 1967.

Agbakoba also attended College of Immaculate Conception in Enugu from 1970 to 1972, Government College in Ughelli in 1973, University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1973 to 1977, Nigerian Law School in Lagos in 1978 and London School of Economics & Political Science from 1979 to 1980.

He holds an LLB (Hons) of the University of Nigeria, BL of the Nigerian Law School and LLM (1980) of the University of London.

Olisa Agbokoba has served as former president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 2006 to 2008. The erudite lawyer is famous for his human and civil rights activities, and is believed could correct all the anomalies of the Abubakar Malami in the last dispensation.

He is married to Lilian Agbakoba, who is also a lawyer by profession, has three daughters and six grandchildren and lives in Lagos.

THE FCT – NUHU RIBADU

Ribadu, known by all means as a Nigerian super cop, made serious impact in the Nigerian polity as the pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The police officer turned politician was also a former chairman of The Petroleum Revenue Task Force, and looks good for a space among the next set of ministers. He is known for his strict anti-corruption stand which is President Buhari’s preoccupation.

It is on record tha Ribadu has turned down bribes to pervert justice in the course of duty. A notable case is his rejection of a $15 million and a house abroad to swerve justice. He confirmed that he used the money as evidence against the culprit. Two assassination attempts have been made on his life because of his uncompromising stance.

A former presidential candidate under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ribadu’s impact on the fight against corruption in the country is well spoken of and he is sure to bring that energy to bear as a minister in Buhari’s government.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – JELANI ALIYU 

The field of science and technology in the country needs total overhaul, and one among many professionals who has what it takes to turn it around is the Chevrolet Volt car designer, Jelani Aliyu.

A creative thinker, who had pursued his dreams of car designing from a very young age. His quest for creativity even led to his dropping out from the Ahmadu Bello University just to achieve his dreams. He later joined Birnin Kebbi Polytechnic where he graduated as the overall best graduating student with a degree in architecture in 1988. Earlier, Aliyu had emerged as the best student in Technical Drawing when he attended Federal Government College, Sokoto.

Ultimately, Jelani Aliyu was admitted into the College for Creative Studies, Detroit in 1990, thanks to a Scholarship from Sokoto State after a stint with the Ministry of Works. During the course of his studies, the gifted designer exposed his outstanding ability and won two prestigious awards from Ford Motor Company and Michelin, US.

However, only when Jelani Aliyu successfully worked on the design of the Chevrolet Volt, did he become a superstar in his company. This compact automobile by Jelani was exhibited for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in the city of General Motors Renaissance in 2007.

The man, who was born 51 years ago in Kaduna is the ideal model that Nigerian can take pride in, and is suitable to head the Science and Technology ministry.

BUDGET AND PLANNING – BEN AKABUEZE 

A top rated Economist, and the current Director General of the Budget office for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Akabueze is suitable earn a seat among President Buhari’s ministers. He has proven his worth in different positions in government; he has served as the CEO of NAL Bank Plc (now Sterling Bank Plc) and was two terms Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget with the Lagos State Government, and during his time, Akabueze made various improvements.

Akabueze obtained a B.Sc in Accounting from the University of Lagos and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration and Management from the Lagos Business School

He is not only sound in financial matters, he is also spiritually gifted. He was the Pastor-in-charge of Lagos Province 39 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God till his appointment with the Federal Government and is married to Ngozi, the CEO of Foundation for Sapphire (A non profit organisation).

Akabueze was elected the Chief Executive Officer of NAL Bank Plc in 2000 a post he retained till its merger in 2005 to become Sterling Bank Plc. He was thereafter in 2007 appointed as the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget by the Lagos State Government till 2015. In February 2016 he was appointed as Special Adviser to the President on National Planning and was made the Director General for Budget office in June

He is no doubt fit for the position of the Minister of Budget in President Buhari administration based on his impact over time.

FINANCE – BISMARCK REWANE 

The finance ministry is highly sensitive, and as a result needs a personality with a resounding financial background and acumen. Therefore, among high rated financial gurus in the country, Bismarck Rewane stands tall. The man behind the national Minimum wages for Nigerian workers, who is also the CEO and Director of Financial Derivatives has shown character in the discharge of his duties.

Rewane is also an associate of the Institute of Bankers, England and Wales, and has served on the board of several organisations, including Navgas (a Vitol Group subsidiary), NLNG Prize Award Foundation, UNIC Insurance Plc, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, UBA Custodian Limited, Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc and Top Feeds Nigeria Limited.

ENVIRONMENT – NNIMMO BASSEY

Architect, environmental activist, author and poet, Bassey who chaired Friends of the Earth International from 2008 through 2012 and was Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action for two decades, and during this period, his achievements cannot be overlooked. He served wholeheartedly and have won many awards to his name.

Bassey has been active on human rights agitation since the 80’s when he served on the Board of Directors of Nigeria’s Civil liberties Organization. Since 1996, Bassey and Environmental Rights Action led Oilwatch Africa and, beginning in 2006, also led the Global South network, Oilwatch International, striving to educate and mobilize communities in Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Congo (Brazzaville), Ghana, Uganda, South America and in Southeast Asia to “resist destructive oil and gas extraction activities.

He is versed in environmental matters, and deserve a chance to prove his worth in the Environmental Ministry.

INFORMATION, ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM – DONALD DUKE

“What got the military out of power was not democracy but the dreadful state of the economy. If we, the democratic government, cannot deliver food for the mass of people we can forget about democracy.”

The above is a testimony of how two terms Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, is passionate about good life for the Nigerian people. He has received praises for his contributions to the fields of agriculture, urban development, government, environment, information and communication, investment drive, and tourism and making Calabar the cleanest city in Nigeria.

During his stewardship in Cross River, he initiated the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race which attracted contestants and visitors from other countries. He totally revamped the tourism potential of Cross River State. In 2005, he created a special reserve fund for the state meant to ‘‘hedge against economic downturn, and the inevitable rainy day’’. This was meant to cushion the effect of unforeseeable economic challenges that may occasion uncertainty in the state’s Internally generated revenue, as well as monthly allocation from the federal government.

He also initiated the Calabar Carnival which started in 2004 and is popularly referred to as “Africa’s biggest street party.”

Donald Duke initiated the Tinapa Resort project as a way to boost business and tourism in the state. Over $350 million was spent on initial development before phase 1 opening in April 2007. BBC reported in September 2006 that Governor Duke was the only governor specifically mentioned as not being under investigation by the federal Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Four other governors were also reported as not under investigation but their names were not released.)

If President Buhari is desirous of changing the information, tourism and arts narratives of Nigeria, Duke is the right man for the job.

DEFENCE – CAPTAIN UMAR ALIYU BABANGIDA

Captain Umar Aliyu Babangida is a Security Resource and Solutions Consultant and ex-Military Intelligence Officer.

He holds Degrees in Defence Studies, Political Science; Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution; a Project Management Professional Accreditation, and affiliation to various security interest groups in Nigeria.

Capt. Babangida has had a multi-disciplinary professional trajectory from Defence, Security, Intelligence, to Private Business-Security Consulting in Nigeria.

At GoldWater & RiverSand, a Defence and National Security Solutions Consults Firm, Aliyu oversees business consults with an array of clients in areas ranging from,  but not limited to Enterprise-Environment- Security consults, to Regional, Ethno-Cultural and Religion Security Consults, as they trend, tend, and affect an array of clientele needs, not less so inter and intra Political  Party security and intelligence resource and options, for interested clientele across board.

Post military service years, Umar has worked in and held security job role Designations (operational and managerial) within a number of reputable corporate Entities across country, some of which are: The Dangote Industries Limited; Victoria Garden City Company Limited; British American Tobacco Nigeria, amongst others.

EDUCATION – TONYE COLE

Born on January 11, 1967, Tonye Cole, a seasoned academia and industrialist is a motivational speaker, writer, teacher and mentor.

He attended Corona School, Victoria Island and later King’s College, Lagos before proceeding to King’s School, Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. He is also an alumnus of University of Lagos where he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Engineering, then a Portuguese Certificate from Universidade de Brasilia, Brazil. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in 2014. The Brazilian architectural firm Grupo Quartro SA in Goiania Brazil was where he started his career as an Architect from 1990-1992. He was also involved in the design and implementation of the urban planning and city development of Palmas, the capital city to the state of Tocantins in miles away south America. He was also the architect responsible for the design of The Ministry of Justice Building, Palmas, Tocantins and the various residential houses in Goiania, Palmas and Brasilia among others. Tonye returned to Nigeria in 1993 and was quickly employed as the Director of Operations with the Nigerian office of Empressa Sul Americana de Montagens S.A. (EMSA) a Brazilian Civil Engineering Company from 1993 – 1996, which is allegedly the 7th largest engineering firm in Brazil that was awarded a World Bank – financed water project valued at about S5.8m for the Lagos Water Corporation. Mr. Cole is an ordained minister of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and leader of Team Nehemiah. A body within the church that is responsible for the delivering the vision of the church in transforming the Redemption Camp in Nigeria to a modern city.

He is the author of “Morning Reflections” a daily devotional published in 2013. He is the son of former managing director of the Daily Times Newspaper and former Ambassador of Nigeria to Brazil Patrick Dele Cole.

He is married to Dr. Sylvia Cole and blessed with three adult children.

WORKS AND HOUSING – BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Fashola, a former two terms Governor of Lagos State, and immediate past Minister of Works, Housing and Power, was born in Lagos on June 28, 1963. He attended Birch Freeman High school Lagos and Igbobi College Lagos. He studied Law at the University of Benin from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B.(Hon), degree in 1987.

Known as the Super Minister for managing three diverse and technical ministries at the same time, Fashola, according to bookmakers, managed to perform reasonably. However, Nigerians believe that for him to perform optimally, some loads have to be shed from him. As a result, it is decided that he should be left with the ministries of Works and Housing while Power should be taken away from him.

He is married to Mrs. Abimbola Emmanuela Fashola and they have two children.

TRANSPORTATION – AKINWUNMI AMBODE

The immediate past Governor of Lagos State is known for have given a sterling performance during his four years tenure as the chief executive. Born on June 14, 1963, Ambode had been in the civil service for a record 27 years as well as a financial consultant before venturing into politics in 2015 when he won the governorship seat at first attempt.

Ambode attended St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebutte Meta, Lagos, from 1969-1974, where he sat for the National Common Entrance Examinations.

From 1974-81, he attended Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State. From 1981-1984, he attended University of Lagos where he studied Accounting, graduating at the age of 21.

He also has a Masters Degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos, and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Among his honours, Ambode was awarded the Fulbright Programme scholarship for the Hubert Humphries Fellowship Programme in Boston, Massachusetts. He also attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for Advanced Management Programme. Other institutions he attended for courses and programmes include Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield, England, the Institute of Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland, INSEAD, Singapore. Moreover, he attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Cambridge, USA.

His down to earth activities in Lagos State, especially in the field of transportation merits him a mention in Buhari’s next cabinet.

HEALTH – OSAJIE ENAJIRE

Dr. Enajire is a outstanding and prolific surgeon, who by all intends and purposes has proved his mettle in the field of medicine and general healthcare.

The septuagenarian, who was born in 1946, attended Government College Ibadan in Oyo state for his West African School Certificate and he excelled at his Higher School Certificate examination there. He later studied Medicine at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany qualifying as a physician.

He went on to the Teaching Hospital of the University of Duisburg and Essen and to the BG Accident Hospital in Duisburg, Germany for his post graduate education. In 1976, he attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland where he obtained postgraduate Diploma in Anaesthetics. He got his Board Certification in both General Surgery and Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery at the Medical Board of North Rhine Westphalia in Duesseldorf, Germany. In 1984, he became a Fellow of West African College of Surgeons. 

Dr Osagie Ehanire worked to a great extent in Germany as Resident Anesthesiologist, Resident Vascular Surgeon and Resident General Surgeon in Thoracic Surgery at various hospitals. He also served as Clinical Instructor, Fracture Internal Fixation Course at BG Accident Hospital in Duisburg, Germany. On his return to Nigeria in 1982, he worked at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital as Senior Registrar in the Department of Surgery (Orthopedic Surgery), a position he held until 1984. Between 1985 and 1990, he joined the Shell Petroleum Development Company Hospital as a Divisional Consultant Surgeon. He also served at various times on the medical review board of Edo State Hospital Management Board and remains as a Trustee of TY Danjuma Foundation.

NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS – UMANA OKON UMANA

Presently the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Mr. Umana Umana is administrator who has over the years showed his passion for the Niger Delta region, and is believe to posses both the qualities and passion to run an all inclusive administration.