President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday swore in the new set of ministers cleared by the  Senate.

Embattled former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, (Lagos) was sworn in as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs II, while Nicholas Ada (Benue) is now the Minister of State Foreign Affairs I.

Mr. Obanikoro had resigned his appointment to run for the Lagos governorship ticket under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, but lost to Jimi Agbaje.

Mr. Obanikoro’s nomination and final clearance had been embroiled in controversy as the All Progressive Congress, APC Senators fingered him in the Ekiti State rigging scandal evidenced by an audio recording, the Senate President, David Mark went ahead to clear him leading to a walkout by APC senators.

President Goodluck Jonathan also made minor cabinet reshuffle as he named Alhassan Khaliru‎ the Minister of Health while Fidelis Nwankwo, is now the new Minister of State for Health‎.

Other ministers sworn in the presence of Council members, friends and family members include: Patricia Akwashiki ‎ (Nasarawa) as Minister of Information, Augustine Akobundu (Abia State) as Minister of State, Defence, Hauwa’u Bappa, as Minister of State Niger Delta Affairs; Kenneth Kobani (Rivers) as Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment; Joel Ikenya (Taraba), Minister of Labour.

The President told the new Ministers that though they came in at “injury time” like in a football tournament, but that they can still make impact.

 “For the ministers this is an injury time. It is like bringing a player when you have just five minutes to go in a football match. So everyone wants to know what that player will do, the magic the player will perform within that short period. The player himself will be struggling to at least kick the ball before the end of the game.

“So you are coming in at a quite challenging period and I believe that a number of people will not envy you because government is coming to a close.

“For the member of the Federal Civil Service Commission, civil service is key; is the engine room of government.

“The greatest problem that people complain about is the issues of discipline in the service.‎ I believe that with you coming to join others, you will continue to modernize the federal civil service.