17th FCT minister resumes Tuesday

By Ayoni M. Agbabiaka

The much anticipated decision of appointing and attaching portfolios to ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari left many open mouthed yesterday as he announced the various portfolio attached to every minister.
In spite of the various permutations earlier spread around the country that former governor of River state, Rotimi Ameachi, former governor of Kano state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola or even a former staff of FCTA, Ibrahim Jibril who made it as Minister of state, Environment, will be the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; the president surprised all as the wind blew in a different direction.
President Buhari announced the Mohammed Musa Bello as the new Minister of FCT.

The minister, who arrived FCTA at about 3 pm and left after one and a-half hours, having addressed  over 20 directors and media men, said “they must all work together to make FCT better than the preceding ministers left as failing will mean professional failure on the part of his subordinates”.
He said ministers were dispensable, “but the civil servants, the professionals will remain, hence they must work to succeed.
“Jobs like mine is very transient, I do hope that if we harness all your capabilities, we will be able to achieve the mandate of Mr. President. Our success can easily be seen and our failure will be seen. Our failure will also affect Mr. President.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, welcomed the minister, saying that his coming “will bring the necessary change. We will support you,” he said.
The new FCT minister, Mohamed Musa Bello was chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) from 2007 until last May. He was also chairman of the Presidential Committee on Hajj in 2006 and has worked in various organisations and held various positions.
Meanwhile, the new Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye was born on October 20, 1958 in Kaduna, Kaduna state, though he hails from Ekiti state.
He has worked as press secretary at various times.