Oduah secretly hands over to Ortom

Sacked Minister of Aviation Ms. Stella Oduah finally handed over affairs of the ministry yesterday to the Supervising Minister and current Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom.

Ms. Oduah who is among four ministers sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan last week had failed to turn up for the hand over four times since last week. The first handover date was billed for last Friday.

That day a new Permanent Secretary, Dr (Mrs.) Jamilla Shu’ara, took over from the immediate past Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. George Ossi.

When it was the turn of the minister to hand over to the new supervising minister, journalists were told to return in the evening and eventually Monday as she could not make it and no reason was given for her absence.

The minister finally bowed out early yesterday Daily Trust learnt behind closed doors.

A source in the ministry who was privy to the meeting told our correspondent on phone that the “handover didn’t even last up to 10 minutes probably because ‘madam’ wouldn’t want an elaborate event and was not prepared to answer too many questions from journalists.”

Meanwhile, a press statement released later by Joe Obi, spokesman to the former minister, said she commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, workers and stakeholders in the aviation sector for the opportunity to serve the country and for the tremendous support given to her during her two and a half years’ stewardship as aviation minister.

“During my tenure, we gave our best to institute reforms in line with Mr President’s Transformation Agenda”, she said.