President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, swore in Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Minister of Finance and at the same time appointed her as the coordinator of a new 24-man economic team but was quick to declare that she would not be paid in foreign currency as had been speculated.
While specially thanking the ministers from the diaspora for abandoning their comfort to take up appointments in Nigeria, Jonathan clarified media speculations that Okonjo-Iweala had given foreign currency for salary as a condition to accept to serve.
He said: "Let me also thank other ministers brought in from the diaspora. We know it is quite challenging to move from developed countries to Nigeria. The question the media asked sometimes and I know for Ngozi, it was quite embarrassing. When you accepted to serve, it was in the media that you gave conditions to be paid in dollars.
"Let me formally announce to Nigerians that she has accepted to serve just like any other minister and, indeed, others who came from the diaspora who have not asked us for dollar salary. They are going to receive salary and allowances like others in the cabinet. They are coming to serve the country and are not coming because of their personal aggrandizement," he said.
Tribune