…as Enugu applauds Gov Mbah’s recruitment of best brains in governance

…Doro also sworn in

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in two newly appointed Ministers, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro and Mr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, at a brief ceremony inside the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The swearing-in took place just before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by the President.

Doro, a pharmacist and lawyer from Plateau State, fills the ministerial vacancy created by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who is now National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).l

Doro and Yilwatda are from Plateau State.

His nomination was confirmed by the Senate in late October.

Udeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), from Enugu State, will be filling the vacancy created by the resignation of former Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who resigned following allegations of certificate forgery.

Udeh’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate earlier on Thursday, following a brief screening session during plenary. Until his elevation to the federal cabinet, he served as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State.

The FEC swung into session immediately after a report presented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, on the state of the economy.

The Senate had confirmed Dr. Kingsley Udeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Enugu State, as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The confirmation followed a screening session on the Senate floor on Thursday, as reported by Channels TV.

Born in 1978, Udeh previously served as Enugu State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

During the screening, senators questioned him on national and diplomatic issues, including Nigeria’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats.

Responding, Udeh said President Bola Tinubu was managing the situation through diplomatic channels, describing it as “a matter of diplomacy rather than law.”

He also addressed the debate on separating the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, saying the success of either arrangement depends on the integrity and independence of the officeholder.

Satisfied with his responses, the Senate asked him to take a bow and subsequently confirmed his appointment.

Across Enugu State, the news of Udeh’s confirmation was received with widespread joy and celebration, as residents, youth groups, and professional bodies described the development as a testament to the excellence and vision of Governor Mbah’s leadership.

They hailed Udeh as a youth of distinction—an accomplished scholar and legal luminary whose brilliance and character embody the new face of Enugu’s rising generation.

The people further extolled the governor for his pivotal role in facilitating Udeh’s nomination and eventual appointment by President Bola Tinubu.

They also lauded him for consistently identifying and promoting competent professionals to positions of responsibility, both within and beyond the state. According to them, Mbah’s deliberate recruitment of the best brains into his administration has made Enugu stand out as one of the most reform-driven and innovative states in the federation.

The Federal Government on Thursday assured Nigerians that it is responding decisively to recent security concerns and urged citizens to remain calm, saying there is no cause for panic as efforts to contain terrorism intensify.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

He said the government remains fully committed to safeguarding lives and ensuring that the constitutional right to freedom of worship is upheld without fear or intimidation.

Idris acknowledged ongoing incidents of violent extremism in some parts of the country but stressed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation in collaboration with regional neighbours and international partners.
“The killing of even one Nigerian is of concern to the Government of Nigeria,” he said. “Our Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to worship without hindrance, and we are fully committed to that.”

The minister dismissed suggestions of instability within the administration, insisting that President Bola Tinubu and members of the Federal Executive Council are calm, focused and united.

“Yes, there are security issues; yes, people are being killed in some areas. But government is responding — and doing so with the utmost sense of responsibility,” he said.

“There is no panic mode here. The President is calm; the Council is calm. Government is stable.”

Idris said Nigeria continues to work closely with neighbouring countries and global partners, including the United States, to curb terrorism, secure porous borders, and strengthen intelligence-sharing.
“Issues of terrorism and violent extremism are not tackled by one country alone. We are engaging regional and international partners, and diplomatic channels are being used appropriately,” he stated.

He added that the government would continue to reinforce directives to security agencies to maintain order and protect citizens nationwide.

“We will continue to impress on our security agencies to maintain law and order wherever they are,” he said.

“Whatever concerns there are, the Government of Nigeria will take care of them.”

Idris reaffirmed that Nigeria’s tradition of religious tolerance would be preserved and that the country would continue to welcome international support while ensuring responses remain consistent with national sovereignty and dignity.