The Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin, has stepped down from his office after he was chosen as the Emir of Nasarawa by the Nasarawa Emirate council.
His resignation was announced on Wednesday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
In a valedictory session held in his honour, Mr Jibrin recalled his time as minister saying he travelled the entire length of Nigeria and has “seen the devastation caused by climate change” and effect of conflict in the North-east.
He said in the South-south, he saw “fish being fried with crude oil” which made him make up his mind to work with the administration to stop oil pollution in the region and ensure the clean up of Ogoni part of Rivers State.
“Tomorrow the 13 of December, there will be a project meeting in Port Harcourt in which project site will be handed over to contractors”.
Before now, he said, oil companies were reluctant to release anything, but a commitment by the government forced them to change their mind and $180 million has now been paid.
The President, in a statement, hailed the people of Nasarawa Emirate and the State Government on the hitch-free exercise which led to the emergence of Alhaji Jibrin as the 13th Emir.
Describing the new First Class traditional ruler as a “wise choice and worthy successor,” President Buhari stated that Alhaji Jibrin’s impeccable credentials as a distinguished public servant and a land expert will be deployed to impact positively on the development of his emirate.
Jibrin was appointed as the Minister of State for Environment in December 2015 when the council was constituted after the Senate screening and confirmation.
Amos Abba is a journalist with the International Center for Investigative Reporting, ICIR, who believes that courageous investigative reporting is the key to social justice and accountability in the society.