…urges cabinet members to ensure greater Nigeria through their commitment
…says assets, liabilities from predecessor defines his professional background
MARGARET CHIDERA
ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has, again, warned that there will be no room for any underperforming minister in his administration.
This is as he strongly warned that he would not hesitate to fire any of his cabinet members who fails to deliver on the specific mandate of his or her ministry.
Tinubu handed down what could best be described as riot act to his ministers, while declaring the 2023 Cabinet Retreat for Ministers, Presidential Aides, Permanent Secretaries and Top Government Functionaries opened at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking on the theme: “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda”, Tinubu said his administration was not oblivious of the challenges ahead but would not settle for less, hence there must be clear cut decision and action plan by all stakeholders to wriggle out of the problems.
The President also stated that since becoming President at this point in time, he had graciously accepted all challenges and liabilities thrown at him by his predecessor.
He said there would be no room for excuses, hence the reason he took his time to assemble all the best brains in his cabinet, who can aid the administration meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens on poverty elimination, better health indices, security among others.
According to Tinubu, he had directed the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Bala Hadiza to Head the Result and Delivery Unit, through which key performance indicators of all ministerial appointees would be monitored.
He said at the end of the retreat all ministers would sign a bond of understanding to track those performing to expectation or not.
Among the key priorities the Tinubu administration wants the cabinet members to focus on are food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, inclusivity: drawing on skill base, security, fairness and rule of law and anti-corruption.
He said, “It is a great morning in Nigeria and I am humbled and happy to stand before you on this retreat, but forward looking determination to embark on a very strong bold endeavour to rebuild our country’s economy and our people hope renewed.
“With strong determination, we have brought together the best brains, the best hands to navigate the future of this country.
“We are not looking backwards, we can’t compare and give excuses. This is our country we have to build it, we have to renew the foundation. We have to give hope to the populace, to Nigerians in doubt whether democracy and economic growth will be the pathway to their prosperity.
“I’m here to assure you and walk with you the best brains we can put together in civil service, the brain that we can put together in our democratic parliament and have been chosen for us by the public.
“It is good thing that the chairman of our party is here but the President is the President of all, whether affiliated with some political parties, regardless of religious, ethnic or otherwise.
“A great Nigeria is possible and a greater Nigeria will come under your commitment, guidance and resolute determination to give the country a direction.
“I’m with you. And please be assured that this great country is one family in one house, geographically located, partitioned and living in different rooms. But we are all one family”.
According to Tinubu, the government has come to make allegiance and give direction to that one family making sure that relationship can only be stronger if we give hope to our people. We can only achieve our mission with baldness and strong determination with collaboration.
He said no one succeeds alone. You the civil service, you must not see a minister as he or she will come and go and you will be there. You must make a positive team for the good of this country.
“Yes! I admit and accept the asset and liability of my predecessor, is part of the definition in my professional background.
“But you are in this ship you will make good of it but not wreck it. You are a member of a great family don’t see that minister as optimistic. See, he or she as a partner that we must take the ship forward. Navigating through turbulence and clear weather.
“We are lucky we have a nation the challenges are all over the world. You can see the chaos all around you. But be focused, like a man driving in the tunnel don’t see the sky, don’t look up face your direction.
“Be committed to the value and principle of result that will affect you, your neighbour and the entire nation. We’ve spent the last six months reviewing and evaluating ourselves, we’ve come a long way but we set the agenda. Healthcare is a priority. Education of our people is a must. No other weapon against poverty than education.
“You have opportunity to change things. Recently two or three days ago we received the Chancellor of the Republic of Germany and his delegation of investors. One of their key complaints and the question is whether they can bring their capital, repatriate their dividend, or if not satisfied, take their capital away. The minister of trade and investment was called upon by me to explain further, that those obstacles are gone never to come back again. We are open for business.
“That is why we established Result Delivery Unit. At the end of this retreat you’re going to sign a bond of understanding between you, the ministers, the permanent secretaries and myself.
