President Tinubu led the Federal Executive Council meeting, appointing new National Population Commission members and honoring late ex-ministers Osuji and Onu. Key decisions on national challenges are expected from the council.
President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marking the fifth such gathering since the beginning of the year. The meeting is expected to yield far-reaching decisions aimed at tackling some of the pressing challenges facing the nation.
Before the commencement of the meeting, Tinubu swore in two new commissioners for the National Population Commission (NPC) – Mr. Fasuwa Johnson from Ogun State and Dr. Amid Tadese Raheem from Osun State. This appointment follows Tinubu's previous decision on November 8, 2023, to appoint 20 federal commissioners to the NPC, nine of whom were reappointed for a second term. Before today's swearing-in, 17 commissioners had already been sworn in on March 14.
The council meeting also observed a solemn minute of silence in honor of two deceased former cabinet members, Prof. Fabian Osuji and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu. Osuji, who passed away on February 28, 2024, at the age of 82, served as the Minister of Education from July 2003 to March 2005 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Onu, on the other hand, was the first civilian governor of Abia State and served as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He died on April 11, 2024, at the age of 72.
In attendance at the FEC meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, and many of the ministers.
As the council convenes behind closed doors, expectations are high that significant decisions will be made to address the nation's most pressing challenges. Nigerians eagerly await the outcomes of this crucial meeting, hopeful that the Tinubu administration will chart a decisive course towards progress and development.
