President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, held a valedictory session with the Ministers who tendered their resignation letters in a bid to contest in the forthcoming general elections.
The valedictory session was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Buhari in his remarks said, “I would like to use this opportunity to commend your decision and courage to contest for elective offices and your compliance with my directive.
”I also wish to thank you for your invaluable services to this nation through your contributions as Cabinet members.
”I have no doubt that if the next President emerges from among former members of this cabinet, like any other aspirant, ample competence and outstanding service delivery would be on display. This will be part of our legacies to Nigerians.”
President Buhari promised to fill as soon as possible the vacuum created by the departure of the Ministers.
He wished them well in their future endeavours, and urged the remaining members of the cabinet to show more diligence, resilience, and commitment to serve Nigerians better, saying ‘‘the journey to the finish line is still very far ’’.
According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who briefed State House Correspondents after the session, nine of the Ministers were physically present while one gave reasons for his absence.
The outgoing Ministers present who had previously resigned from office following a presidential directive include Rotimi Amaechi (Transport), Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Paullen Tallen (Women Affairs), Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta Affairs), Abubakar Malami (Justice Minister), Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technology), Tayo Alasoadura (Niger Delta), Uche Ogar (Mines and Steel) and Timipre Sylva (Petroleum).
