Daggash, 2 other ministers lock out of meeting with Jonathan

ABUJA—DESPITE the over three hour’s orientation on acceptable practices in the conduct of cabinet members, staged at Wednesday meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF) three of the ministers chose to come late in their first public function in the State House Thursday.
The ministers were the Minister of Works Senator Sanusi Daggash, Minister of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwinyi, and that of Land, Housing and Development, Mr Nduese Essien.

As a result, the gate leading to the council chamber that is usually opened when there are functions at the chamber was locked to prevent other ministers who might also come late for the meeting from going in.

The ministers who ought to have been seated by 12.00 noon were seen walking into the villa majestically at about 12.45, some 15minutes after the function had kicked off.

The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan presided over the meeting where he received the report on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The Acting President had told the ministers after their inauguration to hit the ground running, warning them that there is no room for failure.

“No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions. You must hit the ground running! Time is of fundamental essence and no distraction in our mission will be tolerated. This is a patriotic call to service and the self must therefore take a back seat. This rare privilege must not be abused!” the acting president said.

Also at the inaugural meeting of the new cabinet on Wednesday, the meeting was mainly on lecturing the ministers on how to conduct themselves.

“It was thought that from the very beginning these rules should be placed squarely before them so that they know what it is until those rules are changed if they do not meet the intention of government,” the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Mr. Steve Oransanye told newsmen.

One of the ministers was seen displaying his invitation to one of his sympathisers showing that the time on his invitation was 1pm.