President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated the Federal Executive Council and allocated portfolios to the screened ministers.
Solomon Dalong, 51, was handed the office of Minister of Youths and Sports.
A native of Langtang South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Dalong studied law at the University of Jos, graduating in 1999. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, in Abuja, and graduated in 2000. He was called to the Bar in 2001.
He has previously served in the Nigerian Prisons, the University of Jos as a lecturer and as chairman of Langtang South.
As chairman, he also served as the Plateau State Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON). His tenure as local government chairman ended in May 2008. He then returned to the University of Jos.
He however contested and lost the quest to represent Langtang North and South at the National Assembly.
Prior to his appointment as minister, Dalong was part of the Presidential Transition Committee setup to ensure a smooth handover from the previous administration.
Although the new minister has never been involved in any sport related activity, it is believed he possess the pedigree and track record of a competent administrator.
Dalong was outstanding during his Senate screening.
He said during his screening: “Change can only be achieved when we review existing projects and incorporate pre-existing ones.
”Change is not a concept; it is an ideology and only the law can define a corrupt person.”
At 51, he is one of the youngest in the current cabinet and believes “Corruption is a generic term” and “If we do not determine what corruption is, we may smuggle morality into law”.
