• ‘They Must Understand The Vision Of The Present Administration’
• ‘Each Minister Must Declare His Or Her Assets Fully, When Assuming And Leaving Office’ 

Expectant Nigerians were recently greeted with the news that President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a list of 21 ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening. The remaining batch of 20 more nominees will follow soon. Expectedly, the list has been generating a lot of controversies, as the ministers will be steering the nation’s affairs together with the President for the next four years. So, they could make or mar the administration’s goal and vision. What are the views of religious leaders on the submitted list? What are their expectations from the new ministers? What calibre of people would they want in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet? CHRIS IREKAMBA writes.

‘They Should Recover What We Have Lost And Take Us Beyond Where We Are’
(The Most Rev. Emmanuel Sokowamju Egbunu, Bishop of Lokoja Diocese/Archbishop of Lokoja Province)
THE president has demonstrated that he could not be stampeded into making rash nominations. I am inclined to believing that this list is the outcome of wide and relevant consultations. That said, the ministerial nominees so far reveal a good number of well-known names that have had credible track records, and are people who have the courage needed for the change slogan to be actualised. The tilt for now is more towards professionals rather than mere career politicians, which suggests that merit, competence and performance take a high premium. From what is known about the age range, we can expect a team of vibrant ministers. It is tempting to comment on the even spread of religious affiliation, but that may be misleading, as these people are not being appointed to perform strictly religious functions, and indeed some may be nominal or religious only in name. At this stage in our national experience, we need to approach these sentiments cautiously and with a great sense of responsibility. If, besides their Christian or Muslim names, they perform creditably in the fear of God, Nigerians will not ask first about the religious affiliation of who is doing what. Whatever they do, our religious freedom must be kept sacrosanct and the fear of God must be uppermost and binding on all. We are not looking for a great and godless nation. Most certainly, other states will be waiting to see which of their sons and daughters will be called upon to occupy these positions of service at the national level. The gender inclusiveness is not easy to decipher just from names, but we hope that will be given due consideration.

We expect these nominees to understand the pulse of the Nigerian nation at this time, when we have celebrated great strides from the past through dedicated statesmen, and yet have nursed many cases of scandalous rape of treasured assets, values and legacies, and lost many golden opportunities. They should recover what we have lost and take us beyond where we are. We do not expect them to come lamenting failures of the past, but to prove that they can make a difference. Change must be more than a slogan. It must translate to action. God has blessed this country with all that is required to be great. They must also understand the vision of the present administration. Nigeria is blessed with many intelligent men and women who have provided solutions that have propelled other nations to the realisation of their dreams. These nominees must be determined to make Nigeria a happy homeland for our experts in diaspora to return to. Beyond a good list, we pray that God will give the President and his kitchen cabinet the ability to discern the square and round pegs to fit into the square and round holes. So far, this is very hopeful.

‘Integrity Has To Be A Major
Consideration In The Choice
Of Ministers’
(His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos)
THE whole nation had been looking forward to the naming and appointment of ministers. And so, it’s a good thing that the list has been presented. At least, we have the nominees now and the nation expects a lot from those that will be eventually appointed. Whatever their portfolios, they must make positive impact on the lives of Nigerians, as well as the security of all in the nation. We need improvement as regards availability of job opportunities for the youths and people of working age.

These are very vital areas. The economy must witness a great turn-around for better living standards than is presently the case. We expect that whoever has the responsibility of growing the economy should really ensure that it is diversified so that people are enabled to build personal and family businesses. I think this is very vital for the nation now. The education sector is another area that needs serious attention. Something drastic has to be done to bring reforms to that sector so that we can be taken seriously among the comity of nations. Recently, we have been hearing of the names of Nigerian universities missing from the list of the world best. Primary education, which is the foundation, should be given a lot of attention. Sometimes you see children sitting on bare floor to take lectures.

One would expect that the President and his aides would have done their homework thoroughly before coming up with those names. The expectation was that there would be more young technocrats, a lot more young people who have a lot to proof and therefore, have a lot to also offer.
However, I suppose it is possible for people to be able to offer things at whatever age. Some of them are okay, some of them are new and therefore, we need to know them better. Others have been in the race for so long that one wonders whether they can really make a difference in the system at this point in time. We have said it over and over again, just like so many others that merit should be the basis in the choice of ministers. At the same time, we should not forget the sentiment that characterises Nigeria with regards to balancing region, age and such things to give everyone a sense of belonging.

As I said, one has to wait for the final list before one can make categorical statements. However, one would expect people of integrity, whom everyone can vouch for and trust to be those that will be in the President’s cabinet. And then, there is the need for competence in their areas of duty. I would have expected that included in the list sent to the Senate, there should have been indications of who would be heading what ministry, so that the nominees can be questioned on the particular area they are going to work. We need to put round pegs in round holes, and not square pegs in round holes. That is something that ought to be done to ensure that those that get appointed will be able to hold their various ministries.
In a nutshell, we need people of integrity, who are competent and ready to serve without lining their pockets.

The Ministers Must Be Honest,
Reliable, People That Are Not
Selfish’
(Professor Dawud O. S. Noibi is the Executive Secretary/CEO Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN)
ONE can only comment on the number and the names only after one had seen the list as disclosed by the Senate. But I’m not surprised that people like former governors Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Babatunde Raji Fashola and Lai Mohammed among others are there, because I believe the President knows these people very well and is sure they can work with him and prosecute his well received agenda of and anti-corruption policies, which is good for the country. You will agree with me that over the past three months, Nigeria seems to have been raised from a very low level of degradation in terms of our reputation as a corrupt people. So, the country is being accorded more respect in the comity of nations simply because of our new President’s body language. He is known to have zero tolerance for corruption and you will agree with me that virtually all the evil we suffer in this country can be traced to corruption. If we do have honest people, who also have zero tolerance for indiscipline and impunity working closely with the President, certainly the future is bright for our country.

The President is in the position to set an agenda. I can only talk about what I think is the expectation of the generality of Nigerians. Our expectation is that ministers that will work with this good man must be honest, reliable, and selfless. They should be people that will place the country’s welfare above their own personal interest. They must be people that are ready to be accountable at the end of the day, and not just to Nigerians, but also to God, Who has placed them in the positions of trust and authority under the new President. It is God that has given our country all the good things we have and are proud of. And we should be conscious of the fact that as individuals, whatever position we find ourselves, we will eventually be accountable to Him for the manner in which we used what He has bestowed on us.

This is the teaching of all religions, particularly in Islam, which teaches that everything each person does whether in the secret or open is well recorded by agents of God, who we cannot perceive or see. And on the resurrection day, the record will be placed before us. That consciousness of accountability to Him, Who sees us at all times will help anybody who finds him/herself in position of authority to do what is right at all times and with that kind of consciousness, whoever finds himself/herself in positions of authority is likely to rise high in future both internally and externally by the grace of God.

‘Each Should Consciously Work As
A Minister Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria’
(Pastor Mike Onyeka, Senior Pastor Victorious People Assembly Int’l Aba, Abia State)
After delaying for over four months, the submission of only 21 names of ministerial nominees by the President to the Senate for screening, out of a possible 37 names, creates the impression of a continuing unwillingness or lack of readiness to appoint or work with ministers. May be there is a yet to be resolved in-house confusion or fear of the unknown with regards to the outcome of the screening. So, there is an attitude of ‘let us test the waters first.’ But whichever of these is the reason; it is not the best for Nigeria. Having said that, it should be emphasised that Nigerians have been promised a change and the expectations are very high.

First, each minister must be competent and experienced in his or her area of appointment. Each must be a round peg in a round hole. Secondly, their honesty and integrity must not have a question mark. So, their screening should not be a “carry go” affair. Each should consciously work as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not as a minister of a political party or a section of Nigeria notwithstanding the political nature of their appointment.

For instance, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Maiduguri should also be the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Yenagoa, in spite of where the minister comes from. Each minister must declare his or her assets fully, when assuming and leaving office to enable Nigerians ask relevant questions at relevant moments.

Finally, it is only God that has preserved Nigeria as one entity till this season. It is also God that promotes. Every minister must acknowledge the God-factor in our existence, survival and prosperity. Crude stealing of public funds is demonic. The Bible advises: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your path” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

‘We Should Prayerfully Support
And Encourage Them To Put
Nigeria First’
(Archbishop Joseph Imariabe Ojo, Presiding Bishop, Calvary Kingdom Church, CKC, Lagos-Badagry Expressway)
I BELIEVE the President has over-delayed the list and he is not even bringing all out at once. If the first list took four months, then the remaining 20 may take another two months.
Personally, I think the names so far submitted to the Senate for screening are all Nigerians that have held public office and served in different capacities. The people that know them should be able to confirm their suitability based on their performance.

For example, Babatunde Fashola, the immediate past governor of Lagos State did so well that if he were placed in the proper ministry, where his input will bring about the desired change, Nigerians would be the better for it. We should prayerfully support and encourage them to put Nigeria first, above their ethnic and geographical considerations.
The list contains the kind of people I was expecting. I knew the president was not looking for foreigners to do the job. As for the 21 names submitted so far, I think the president said he was going to reduce and merge ministries. Let us wait and see the number of ministries before deciding whether they are enough or not. He should not wait any longer to appoint them. Our roads have become so bad. Badagry road, where we live has never been this bad. He should be able to trust people to do this work and let us experience the much talked about change.

‘Interest Of The Common Man Should Be Uppermost In The Minds Of Ministers’
(Brother Godwin Ifeacho, Chairman, Executive Board, God’s Kingdom Society, GKS, Warri, Delta State)
AS a people devoted to the work of spreading the saving gospel of Christ for the spiritual emancipation of his lost sheep, we cannot fail to show our concern for the spiritual well-being of the nation. It is extremely important that fellow Nigerians are made to know the essential ingredients for success in public office and of a truly great nation by the standards of God’s judgment. We know that not all politicians are wicked. The corrupt ones know that they are corrupt. Had the hearts of the political leaders of this country been dominated by the fear of God, Nigeria wouldn’t be facing most of the troubles it is battling today.

Several times in the past, most of the political rulers, because of the privileged positions they occupied, thought they could retain power ad infinitum. They were impervious to godly advice or warning and public opinion, especially when it emanated from the common man. Our appeal is that the interest of the common man should be uppermost in the minds of the incoming ministers, meaning that they should strive, in the fear of God, to take the right course that will bring good, as is humanly possible, to the country as a whole. They should approach the problems of the country with objectivity based on the fear of God.

It is required of those in authority never to oppress people or exploit their ignorance and weakness for personal gains. It is righteousness that would make the Most High to guide, protect and bless them (the leaders). Hence David, the king and prophet, declared: “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God (2 Samuel 23:3). Moreover, it is written: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it” – Proverbs 29:2, 7.

We admonish the new ministers and indeed, all holding public offices to put away selfish, party or ethnic group interests and strive to do God’s will so that Nigeria may prosper and be protected by God in these perilous times. There is also the aspect of negligence of duty and laziness that is characteristic of certain people entrusted with responsibilities to serve the public. That some people only pay lip service to national interest is a fact no one can gain say. It will do the country a world of good, if the incoming ministers are more conscious of their duties than of the perquisites of office. We should remember the words of Nigeria’s former Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa who stated, “Now the liberty of a country, like that of an individual, must be limited to the extent that it must not make nuisance of itself.”

Upright conduct gives one good name and attracts great rewards from God Almighty. But if the new leaders patch up things and pretend to have solved the problems, it will tantamount to postponing the evil day. The Almighty won’t be at peace with those that allow inordinate ambition, selfishness, conceit and so on to override their sense of values. “St. Paul said, ‘For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad’ – 2 Corinthians 5: 10; see also Ecclesiastes. 12: 13, 14; Romans 14: 12.
The inspired prophet of God says: ‘HE that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.’ (2 Samuel 23:3). We can see from the foregoing what effect the fear of God can have on the character of a person. The greatness of Nigeria, like any other country, depends on the faith of its people in God and the quality of their character. Greatness should not be measured in terms of material possessions, or achievements in science and technology without God but by the standard of truth and righteousness as ordained by the Almighty God. “Righteousness exalteth a nation…” – Proverbs 14: 34.

‘They Should Live Within Their Means’
(His Eminence, Most Rev. (Dr.)
Emmanuel Josiah Udofia Primate, The African Church/President CCN/FECCIWA)
THE present administration is working directly with the vision of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), which is zero tolerance of corruption. Although I do not have a personal list that I can forward or present here, however, I would want members of the House of Assembly to do a thorough screening on all nominated candidates to avoid making the mistake of allowing corrupt people take over office.
I would expect the ministers to be completely selfless in all that they use their offices to achieve. This means that they should not use the platform to enrich themselves and their families, but should rather embark on programmes that will benefit the public, especially their immediate state ministries.

I expect the ministers to complement the efforts of the President, especially on his crusade against corruption. They should have zero tolerance for corruption, which means that they themselves must not be corrupt and should not allow corrupt people to be in their cabinets. Appointed ministers should not use their offices to witch-hunt people, especially people of the opposition party or those that do not share their views. They are to constantly remember that no one can get anything in life, except God approves of it. Therefore, the words ‘liberal’ and ‘compassionate’ should be their watchword.

They should be focused and purposeful in their dealings. Focused in the sense that they should not engage in irrelevant projects that will constitute a waste to the nation’s resources. I expect the ministers to have good objectives, as well as ensure that their good goals are achieved by all reasonable and godly means. They should be committed to the nation and the citizens, their ministries, the President’s agenda and of course, their communities. I would expect them to keep their integrity and live within their means.
Finally, I would want them to formulate and embark on achievable agenda that will bring benefits to the citizen. Too many projects may be difficult to achieve. Abandoned projects should be re-visited and where possible completed