The former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has expressed her unwavering commitment to continue serving Nigeria after her removal from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. In a heartfelt statement titled “Letter of Appreciation”, released on Thursday, less than 24 hours after her dismissal, Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s development through her role in the administration.
Her dismissal came as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle on October 23, 2024, which saw six ministers being removed from their positions. In addition to Kennedy-Ohanenye, other ministers dismissed include Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism; Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development; Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education; Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Betta Edu, suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, who was officially relieved of her duties.
In her statement, Kennedy-Ohanenye thanked President Tinubu for the trust he placed in her to serve as the Minister of Women Affairs. She noted that it was a privilege to play a part in shaping policies and initiatives aimed at advancing the rights and welfare of women in Nigeria.
“I write to express my sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has been an honor and a privilege to contribute to the development of our nation,” she said.
Kennedy-Ohanenye also extended special thanks to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her mentorship and support during her tenure. She highlighted how Oluremi Tinubu’s guidance had a significant impact on her role as minister, helping her achieve key milestones for women’s empowerment.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for her invaluable guidance and support during my tenure as Minister of Women Affairs,” Kennedy-Ohanenye remarked. “Her kindness and encouragement have been instrumental to my success.”
The Ex-Minister who was also a former presidential candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirmed her commitment to serving Nigeria and contributing to its progress, regardless of her official role. She expressed her appreciation to the Nigerian people for their continued support, describing their trust in her as a source of motivation throughout her tenure.
“To the people of Nigeria, I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support. Your trust and confidence in me have been a constant source of inspiration. I remain committed to serving my country and will continue to do my utmost to contribute to its progress and prosperity,” she added.
Despite her removal from the federal cabinet, Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasized that her dedication to the growth and development of Nigeria remains as strong as ever. She pledged to continue working towards the advancement of women’s rights and the overall progress of the nation in any capacity she may serve in the future.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to contribute to the development of our great nation. I will always be ready to serve Nigeria in any capacity and work toward the growth and success of our country,” she concluded.
The reshuffle comes as President Tinubu continues to recalibrate his cabinet, appointing seven new ministers and assigning portfolios to them, subject to Senate confirmation.
