The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has said it would rue the departure of its former Minister of State, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who would now resume as the Minister of Education.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate expressed this sentiment during a handover ceremony in Abuja, where Alausa formally transferred his duties to his successor, Dr. Iziaq Salako. Salako, who previously served as Minister of State for Environment, now assumes the health portfolio.
Pate reflected on his close partnership with Alausa, acknowledging both the professional loss and his appreciation for welcoming a new colleague. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner,” Pate said, recalling their long-standing relationship since 2013. “He’s always been a passionate team player with integrity.”
He noted that despite occasional disagreements, their collaboration was always aimed at achieving shared goals to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector. “Those moments were in the spirit of revitalising our healthcare system,” he added. Commenting on Alausa’s reassignment, Pate observed, “Hard work is always rewarded with more work.”
Welcoming the incoming Minister of State, Pate pledged the ministry’s full support and assured Salako of a smooth transition, urging Nigerians to be patient as President Bola Tinubu’s reforms take effect.
In his farewell remarks, Alausa appreciated Tinubu’s decision to assign him to the Education Ministry. “The President is responsible for the entire country and knows where he wants to place the people working for him,” he said. “Moving me from Health to Education is not a promotion; it’s a call to duty. We are witnessing radical changes today as the President works to address the country’s needs.”
Alausa expressed confidence in his successor, saying, “I can vouch for his integrity, credibility and quality of work. You may feel my absence, but he will step in and accomplish even more than I have. I am confident of that.”
He continued, “The President knows what he’s doing. Deploying Salako to the Ministry of Health is a calculated decision by a skilled strategist and I believe the country will benefit greatly.”
Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, Ms. Kachalom Daju acknowledged Alausa’s impactful contributions, noting his dedication and hard work that have left a lasting mark on the ministry. She described his transition to the Ministry of Education as bitter-sweet for the team.
Meanwhile, Salako expressed his commitment to advancing the work of the health sector. He emphasised a collaborative approach, aiming to complement existing initiatives and build on ongoing progress. “Health is a priority for all and I’m ready to work closely with the minister and other partners,” he said.
Salako’s extensive experience includes serving as Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Housing and Health from 2007 to 2011. In 2020, he was appointed chairman of the Ogun State Hospitals Management Board and was recognised as the best government parastatal chairman in the state by ‘Gateway News Magazine’ in 2021. In August 2023, he was nominated by President Tinubu to serve as a minister and, after a successful screening by the Nigerian Senate, was appointed Minister of State for Environment.
