By Emeka Monye
One of the notable figures on the list of Presidential Bola Tinubu’s first cabinet shake-up on October 23 is Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, widow of ex-Biafran leader Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and daughter of former governor of Anambra State Christian Onoh.
She replaces another Anambra candidate on the cabinet, Barr Uju Kenedy-Ohaneye, who served as Women Affairs Minister.
Ohanenye’s removal did not come as a surprise because of the controversies that trailed her tenure.
Bianca, 56, was nominated Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and some groups from Anambra state have expressed their unhappiness, not that Bianca is unqualified, but they argue that the state deserves a substantive ministerial portfolio not a junior minister.
Bianca, who also a lawyer, is no stranger to the diplomatic circle having served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana and later Ambassador to Spain (2012-2015) under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who initially appointed her as Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs.
Until her ministerial nomination, Bianca was Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
Meanwhile, some members of the ruling All-Progressive Congress (APC) have faulted her appointment, citing her membership. They argue that Bianca is not a full-fledged APC member to merit a ministerial appointment.
Nonetheless, some APC caucus members in Anambra state acknowledge the president’s constitutional prerogative in ministerial appointments, but they have also expressed concern, warning about what they call “potential for discord within the party ranks,” especially as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
Bianca has her job cut out for her. She could use her position once she scaled the Senate screening to build bridges of goodwill and earn the support of doubters and justify the confidence placed in her by President Tinubu.
She could also contribute to efforts at improving Nigeria’s international image and earn more support from the administration and even among nay-sayers.
That way she can prove to her traducers that she is not only a beauty queen, but also a celebrated politician, diplomat, lawyer, and businesswoman.
Bianca attended the University of Buckingham, University of Nigeria, the Nigerian Law School, and the Alfonso X El Sabio University
She can be proud of her legacy including fostering bilateral relations, enhancing economic cooperation, and marketing Nigeria to the World.
Emeka Monye, a Journalist, Works with Arise News
