Minister of Mines/Steel, Kayode Fayemi [Photo: ekitistate.gov.ng]
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday held a valedictory session in honour of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kayode Fayemi, who resigned as a cabinet member.
President Muhammmadu Buhari presided over the session at the council chamber of the presidential villa in Abuja.
The minister quit the cabinet to contest the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
At the valedictory session, before the commencement of the cabinet meeting, Mr Buhari described Mr Fayemi as man of sound intellect whose contributions helped his administration achieve progress, especially in the solid minerals sector.
The president urged Nigerians to go get their permanent voters card to elect candidates of their choice at all levels.
”The people’s wish should be respected and they should be allowed to vote candidates of their choice across parties,” he said.
Mr Buhari said but for technology, especially with the introduction of PVCs and card readers, he would have been rigged out of the 2015 presidential election.
Ministers present at the FEC described the departure of the minister as a loss to the nation but also a gain for Ekiti, saying Mr. Fayemi was on a rescue mission to redeem the state from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Ogbonaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology spoke for the South-east zone; Abdulrahman Damzabau, Minister of Interior, spoke for the North-west; Aisha Al-Hassan, Minister of Women Affairs spoke for the Northeast; while Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance, spoke for the South-west.
Others who spoke were Bawa Buhari, Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development for the North-central; Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, for the South-south and Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education who also spoke for the North-west.
They urged the cabinet members to rally round Mr Fayemi and ensure he wins the election.
Mr Fayemi thanked the president for giving him the opportunity to serve, and his colleagues for their support and love.
”As I sat here, I watched every minister that spoke about his contributions, this revealed not only intellect but when he is given the necessary time to contribute to important memorandum, he made contributions,” President Buhari remarked after the ministers had spoken.
”I reluctantly allowed Fayemi to go to his state because of his constructive contributions, which shows commitment to the progress of this government and the country,” Mr. Buhari said.
”By chance he was given the portfolio of Solid Minerals Development and you know that sector was virtually abandoned.”
Mr. Buhari also highlighted the minister’s contributions, saying he had a good relationship with both Nigerians and foreigners exploiting minerals across the country.
”During the colonial days, they took what they wanted from us – tin, columbite and the rest were the priorities until they struck oil somewhere; it was simply priority of investment shifted offshore.
”When he went in, he began to deal with both Nigerians and foreigners that are exploiting the land due to the lack of commitment of those who were responsible for that sector before he went there.
”If you recall the number of children and women that suffered from the effect of mining in Zamfara State and other parts of the country and the people responsible.
”He only briefed me occasionally but he was packing them out of the country, with the cooperation of some of his colleagues he will come here and let me know,” he said.
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