ABUJA, May 30 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan made the first appointment of his new administration on Monday, a day after being sworn in for his first full term as head of state in Africa's most populous nation.
Jonathan named former Senate president Anyim Pius Anyim as secretary to the federal government, a powerful position which coordinates between ministries and the presidency.
He also retained General Andrew Azazi, a fellow member of the minority Ijaw ethnic group from the southern oil-producing Niger Delta, as his national security adviser.
Ministers and other senior political advisers from the last administration reached the end of their tenure on May 29, and although Jonathan is expected to retain many of them, he formally dissolved the cabinet.
'The president thanked all the outgoing ministers, advisers and assistants and other political appointees for their service to the nation,' the presidency said in a statement.
His choices for the new administration are being closely watched by both Nigerians and foreign investors who are keen to see a team capable of driving through badly needed reforms in Africa's third largest economy.
(For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://af.reuters.com/ )
(Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Nick Tattersall; Editing by Maria Golovnina) Keywords: NIGERIA ADMINISTRATION/ (Reuters messaging: nicholas.tattersall.reuters.com@reuters.net, Lagos Newsroom +234 1 463 0257) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Jonathan named former Senate president Anyim Pius Anyim as secretary to the federal government, a powerful position which coordinates between ministries and the presidency.
He also retained General Andrew Azazi, a fellow member of the minority Ijaw ethnic group from the southern oil-producing Niger Delta, as his national security adviser.
Ministers and other senior political advisers from the last administration reached the end of their tenure on May 29, and although Jonathan is expected to retain many of them, he formally dissolved the cabinet.
'The president thanked all the outgoing ministers, advisers and assistants and other political appointees for their service to the nation,' the presidency said in a statement.
His choices for the new administration are being closely watched by both Nigerians and foreign investors who are keen to see a team capable of driving through badly needed reforms in Africa's third largest economy.
(For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://af.reuters.com/ )
(Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Nick Tattersall; Editing by Maria Golovnina) Keywords: NIGERIA ADMINISTRATION/ (Reuters messaging: nicholas.tattersall.reuters.com@reuters.net, Lagos Newsroom +234 1 463 0257) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.