- President cautions appointees against corruption, says Nigeria’s head above waters
- Edun urges Minister of State to approach responsibilities with confidence, creativity
- Oduwole pledges to restructure Trade Ministry to support FG’s objectives
President Bola Tinubu has urged the newly appointed ministers to join his team in rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges.
Tinubu gave the charge on Monday after swearing in seven ministers in Abuja, following their swift review by the National Assembly.
The President emphasised the importance of service, stating, “Service is the hallmark of this human endeavour; you are being called upon to serve.”
Tinubu expressed optimism about the country’s economic recovery, saying, “Economic recovery is on the horizon.”
“We have a good path to realise our dreams and it is not just only for us, it is for our children and grandchildren.”
He acknowledged the challenges Nigerians face, including a high cost of living, but highlighted progress in paying the new minimum wage and reducing debt servicing from 97 per cent to 65 percent of revenue.
The new ministers sworn in are Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda; Minister of Labour & Employment Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, among others
Others are the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment (Trade and Investment), Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Livestock Development,Idi Mukhtar Maiha; Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Yusuf Ata, Minister of State for Education Dr Suwaiba Ahmad.
Tinubu thanked the National Assembly for their efficient review and approval of the new ministers.
While addressing the new cabinet members, the president charged the ministers to be proactive, urging them to embrace their roles with confidence and commitment.
“Nigeria’s head is above the waters. This ship will not sink. We will not run away from our responsibilities”
“I am proud to lead you and we will lead you to success and prosperity… We have taken the bull by the horns. We have stopped the scavengers and profiteers,” he said.
Tinubu dismissed five ministers some weeks ago, reassigning ten others to new portfolios, and appointing seven more, as part of his cabinet reshuffle.
The cabinet reshuffle, according to the president, aims to address the country’s economic challenges and improve governance.
He said the moment is challenging, acknowledging that the present situation calls for serious commitment.
He said he is glad that the new ministers have taken the oath of office and are ready to serve at a time of challenging economic growth and other security issues.
He thanked his team that has worked tirelessly to put Nigeria on the path of recovery; he insists economic recovery is on the horizon.
He acknowledged that the cost of living has gone up and the Federal Government will meet the obligation of paying a new minimum wage across the board.
He said there was a time when the country was servicing debt with more than 90 percent but that has been brought down, and the country has never defaulted in meeting its obligation, both foreign and domestic.
He said all other countries are facing challenges, as this is the outcome of the pandemic, but the government is navigating and working hard, even if it means receiving criticisms and abuse, he urged his team to stay focused and be resilient.
He said he is proud to lead the team, assuring them that he will lead them to success and prosperity, insisting the ship of state will not sink.
In her remarks, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for her appointment and reaffirmed her commitment to aligning with the government’s foreign policy objectives.
“The President has made things easier by establishing a clear foreign policy direction,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised the importance of leveraging the creative potential, skills, and capital of young Nigerians and the Diaspora to enhance service delivery.
She highlighted the significant contribution of the Diaspora, which remitted $22 billion annually, and suggested partnering with them to forge strategic relationships with global financial institutions.
Edun welcomes Minister of State, urges her to approach responsibilities with confidence, creativity
In a significant step forward for Nigeria’s economic reforms, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has warmly welcomed Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite to the Federal Ministry of Finance Headquarters, Abuja, as she officially resumed duty as the newly appointed Minister of State for Finance.
The gathering, attended by the Ministry’s top management led by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, marked a step forward in the Ministry’s commitment to drive economic reforms under the guidance of President Tinubu.
In his opening remarks, Edun expressed enthusiasm for the arrival of Uzoka-Anite, commending her dedication in ensuring the realization of the policy objectives of the President Tinubu-led administration.
The Minister acknowledged the foresight of the President in appointing a Minister of State, noting that Uzoka-Anite’s expertise would be instrumental in supporting ongoing economic initiatives.
Edun extended a warm welcome to the Minister of State, Finance and encouraged her to approach her responsibilities with confidence and creativity.
Reflecting on recent achievements, the Minister highlighted the progress of economic reforms, pointing to the milestones recorded by the present administration, such as, the establishment of a market-based foreign exchange rate and the implementation of market-driven pricing for petroleum products.
Uzoka-Anite, in her response, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, promising to collaborate closely with Edun, whom she has previously worked with in various capacities.
She thanked President Tinubu for entrusting her with this role and emphasized her dedication to advancing the President’s mandate within the financial sector.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, assured that the Ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for the full implementation of the policies and programmes of the Federal Government in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Tinubu-led administration
Other notable dignitaries at the event included Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service; Directors within the Ministry; and staff from the various departments.
Oduwole pledges to restructure Trade Ministry to support FG’s objectives
Meanwhile, the new Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, has acknowledged President Tinubu’s trade and investment agenda.
She stressed the need to optimise the African Continental Free Trade Area for Nigerian businesses and retain domestic investment while aggressively attracting new investments.
Oduwole said this upon her official assumption of duty on Monday, after being sworn in by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Oduwole emphasized her dedication to restructuring the ministry to support the administration’s objectives.
She stated that it is now time for Nigeria to review its trade policies in order to generate competitive jobs for the large number of young people, demonstrating her commitment to delivering the desired positive changes.
In order to achieve these objectives, Oduwole pledged to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to promote lasting growth.
She also emphasized the significance of measurable results, stating, “What gets measured is what gets accomplished. We will conduct regular evaluations to ensure that goals are being achieved. ”
Further, the Minister detailed her plans to boost the exportation of Nigerian goods to achieve a more balanced trade position in accordance with international standards.
Before being appointed, Oduwole worked as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, concentrating on reducing bureaucratic hurdles and improving Nigeria’s business climate.
