The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, revealed that his portfolio was intentionally assigned to him by President Bola Tinubu. After their successful screening and confirmation by the Senate, forty-five new Ministers were sworn in on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Following the ceremony, the Voice of Nigeria’s State House Correspondent interviewed some of the Ministers to discuss their areas of focus.
In his interview, Dele Alake expressed his surprise at being assigned the Ministry of Solid Minerals, but assured that it was a deliberate decision. He emphasized the global shift away from hydrocarbons, such as oil and petroleum, and towards alternative forms of energy like electric cars and gas. Recognizing the detrimental effects of Nigeria’s over-reliance on oil, Alake stressed the importance of the solid minerals sector for the country’s economic growth. He attributed his appointment to Tinubu’s trust in him, as well as his passion, knowledge, and courage to drive the sector forward.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, shared his pride in Nigeria’s potential to not only feed itself but also export food to other countries. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and expressed confidence in the President’s commitment to address them. Kyari emphasized that agriculture was a key pillar of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reassured that it would receive the necessary attention.
One of the challenges Kyari mentioned was the persistent issue of clashes between farmers and herders. He highlighted the historical harmony and peace between the two groups and pledged to address the societal issues that have contributed to recent conflicts. With the shrinking land available, Kyari emphasized the need to find equitable solutions to satisfy both herders and farmers.
