As the administration of President Bola Tinubu kick starts the process of delivering on its Renewed Hope Agenda for the Nigerian people, it is important for the President, its party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and other stakeholders, who are expected to be involved, in the selection of the Team, which will assist the President, in delivering on his electoral promises, to ensure only competent and qualified persons are brought on board, as Ministers.

While also ensuring that such individuals are assigned portfolios, relevant to their area of specialization, in order to achieve the objectives of the administration, beyond the expectation of Nigerians.

The incoming cabinet will be able to assist President Tinubu, in a very productive manner, that would generally be considered beneficial, only when ministers and other key cabinet members, are appointed to positions, aligned with their expertise and experience, this will no doubt, enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the government.

Appointing ministers who are knowledgeable and experienced in their respective fields allows for better decision-making and policy implementation. It enables ministers to bring their expertise to bear on the challenges and issues related to their ministries, contributing to more informed and strategic decision-making processes.

It is also my belief, that while it is exclusively the discretion of Mr President, to appoint members of the cabinet, we have a duty as Nigerians, to ensure, that such process is guided, by our opinions, as stakeholders in the Nigerians project, especially, as we have a duty, to ensure, that critical aspect, of our governance, are not handed to person, without experience, expertise and credibility, to run the affairs of State.

It is on this note, that I have taken a critical look at the Nigerian Health Sector over the past years, looking at the milestone, prospects and challenges. There is no doubt, that the most critical challenge, confronting the growth of our society today, is leadership.

Leadership, in the context of our society, is not limited to the President but rather includes those selected to run the affairs of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

Revamping the Health sector in our country today, from its near state of comatose, requires a radical decision, that must be made by President Bola Tinubu by ensuring that not only is a person, with competence and expertise appointed, such a person should also have a proven record in the area of healthcare development, Public service and most importantly, a man of integrity.

It is in this regard, that no other name, crosses the mind, other than that of Senator Dr Yahaya Oloriegbe, the immediate past representative of the Kwara Central Senatorial District, in the Nigerian Senate. Senator Oloriegbe comes with the type of intimidating public service credential, rarely found in a lot of his contemporaries.

Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe has a long history and experience, as an active participant in the present republic. A well-experienced Medical Doctor, Politician and philanthropist. Dr Oloriegbe was the majority leader at the 4th Kwara State House of Assembly between 1999 – and 2003.

In 2019, Dr Oloriegbe defeated the then President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, to emerge as the Senator to represent the people of Kwara Central Senatorial District of Kwara State.

His outstanding performance, as a member of the Senate, endeared him to the leadership of the Senate and colleagues from across party lines, many of whom, adjudged him, as one of the most brilliant and efficient Senators in the history of the Senate.

Dr Oloriegbe, during his first three years as a member of the Senate, sponsored 14 bills of National importance whilst co-sponsoring many. It is to his credit, that the Nigerian Senate passed among others, the following Bills, sponsored by this noble Nigerian, of outstanding commitment to National development.

They are; the National Health Insurance Commission Bill, 2019, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill, 2019 (SB. 66) , Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 1988 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2020, Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response Bill, 2020, Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine of Nigeria Bill, Bill to Amend the Psychiatric Hospitals Management Board Act Cap P34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to establish Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Budo-Egba, Kwara State, National Emergency Medical Service Agency (Est) Bill, 2021, Bill to Create Federal College of Education (Special) Afon, Kwara State, National Health Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practice Bill 2020, Health Education Practitioners Registration, ETC) Act, (Amendment) Bill 2020, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency Act (Amendment) Bill 2020, bill for an Act to amend the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 to strengthen the operations of Non-Governmental Organizations in Nigeria and the Federal College of Agriculture, Oke-Oyi Bill.

It is also on record, that as part of his commitment to Public Health development in the country, Dr Oloriegbe facilitated the establishment of the first Neuropsychiatric hospital in the whole of North Central at Budo-Egba, in Kwara State. It is to the credit of Dr. Oloriegbe, that the mysterious abandonment of the National Primary Health Centre projects awarded across the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, was uncovered.

It was Oloriegbe, who under a motion of urgent National importance, brought the attention of the Senate to the monumental National project worth over Four Hundred Billion Naira. It was after this revelation, that contractors, began to return to their various sites, to complete the contract, left undone for over 15 years.

Dr Oloriegbe is known for his dedication to duty, at all times and while other politicians of his status, are known for jettisoning governance and focusing solely on politics to accomplish their personal desires, Oloriegbe is known for focusing on his primary assignments with the ultimate intention of delivering good governance to the people.

Therefore, the President must consider appointing ministers based on their specialization and track records, in order to enhance public trust and confidence in the government.

When individuals are appointed to positions where they have a track record of success and competence, it signals that the government is prioritizing meritocracy and qualifications in its decision-making process.

It is hoped, that President Bola Tinubu will once again, live the reality of being known, for elevating competence and experience, above petty politics and other ephemeral considerations.