President Jonathan picks 'friends' as ministers

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan appointed four close allies as ministers on Wednesday, with sources saying two of them would shore up his power base in the largely Muslim north where opposition to him is strongest.

Popular two-term ex-governor of the north's most populous state of Kano, Ibrahim Shakarau, was appointed minister of education.

Abdul Bulama, a former science lecturer from Yobe state, was named minister of science and technology.
Steve Oruh, a PDP stalwart from the oil producing Niger Delta, Jonathan's home region, will be minister for the Niger Delta.

Adebayo Adeyeye, who contested for but did not get the PDP ticket in last month's governorship election in Ekiti state, was named minister of state for works.

Adeyeye fell in behind the winner of the PDP ticket, Ayodele Fayose, who won the election with 60 percent of the vote, kicking out an APC incumbent, Fayemi.