Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday formally bowed out of office with a special valedictory session held in his honour with a joke that that he would have to learn how to dodge bullets, in relation to the gun attack on his campaign train in Ekiti last week.
President Muhammadu Buhari led other members of the Federal Executive Council to bid the Ekiti State governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress farewell at a brief event held inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The session was held before the start of the weekly meeting of the FEC presided over by Buhari, who described Fayemi as a man of sound intellect, noting that the minister’s contributions helped the present administration to achieve progress, especially in the solid minerals sector.
Fayemi’s former colleagues in the cabinet expressed the belief that he has what he takes to rescue his state. The former minister thanked Buhari and his colleagues for the honour.
Six members of the cabinet were selected from the six geopolitical zones to speak on Fayemi with the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu saying that Fayemi is both special and unique.
According to him, he played important roles in the ruling party and creation of the Progressives Governors Forum.
Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Danbazzau said “I found him to be a gentle man and an academic of repute,” while the Minister of Women Affairs, Amina Alhassan said that Fayemi has repositioned the Ministry of Mines and Steel in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision.
She also noted that Fayemi was a gender friendly minister.
On her part, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said “He is a unique public servant,” while the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said that Fayemi was instrumental to his success as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum.
Fayemi’s Deputy Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Bawa Bwari said that the Ministry will greatly miss him.
In his remarks, Fayemi, who jokingly said that he would have to learn how to dodge bullets, said that his winning Ekiti State Governorship seat will not be a national loss as it will serve the country better.