Minister of State for Environment Ibrahim Jibrin has resigned from the Nigerian cabinet to take up a new role as 12th emir of Nasarawa in his native Nasarawa State.
His resignation was announced Wednesday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha.
Addressing the cabinet Mr Jibrin reminisced his time as minister saying he travelled round the country and has “seen the devastation caused by climate change and effect of conflict in the North-east.”
He said that 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.
Jibrin added that before now oil companies were reluctant to release anything, but government’s commitment forced them to changed their mind and $180 million has now been paid.
He said the Ogoni oil cleanup project is the biggest project being handled by the ministry of environment and he has refused to “share the money as was done in the past” just to make sure the project does not suffer like others before.
“I urge all my colleagues to continue to support Mr President until we are assured of success,” Jibrin said.
