The presidential retreat organised for ministers in charge of various ministries, including permanent secretaries and presidential aides, ended on Friday, with most of the ministers now better prepared to carry out their tasks.
This impression was made by some of the participants who spoke to Voice of Nigeria soon after the retreat was over.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the three-day gathering was very insightful, and they now have a common agenda of boosting the welfare of Nigerians.
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“The retreat has been very insightful and knowledgeable. It has been an atmosphere of knowledge sharing, and I can say that members of the cabinet are better enhanced and prepared to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.
“I am personally taking away two things: Nigeria first, Nigeria second, Nigeria third, and Nigeria always. Our agenda has to be Nigeria and the welfare of Nigerians. We have to make sure that Nigerians regain their pride in who they are as citizens.
“Number two, we are meant to complement one another regardless of the ministry or wherever we are. We are not competing but complimenting one another and ensuring that we collaborate always because we are all members of the same government, with the same target of ensuring that Nigerians have better lives,” he stated.
Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, signs the Symbolic Performance Bond on behalf of all the cabinet ministers as the retreat comes to a close. pic.twitter.com/y63NbrUZLe
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) November 3, 2023
CLOSING SPEECH OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU AT THE CABINET RETREAT FOR MINISTERS, PRESIDENTIAL AIDES, PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
“Since we are one family and one nation, and we are in this vehicle together, to change the narrative and bring about… pic.twitter.com/q9i4cybg2H
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) November 3, 2023
His Water Resources counterpart, Professor Joseph Utsev, said they were taught how to collaborate with both the civil servants in their offices and the private sector.
He said, “In the retreat, we were meant to understand a lot of things, like the relationship between us, the appointees, and the civil servants in our offices and how we can collaborate as various ministries and agencies. We also learned how to engage with the private sector and development partners and how, together, we can build the nation as well as support the President in achieving his Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that the retreat exposed them to the intrigues of their relationship with one another as well as the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“We were taught how to manage relationships among ourselves and between the Ministers and, for example, the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation so that there will be smooth operation among cabinet members for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, said the gathering allowed ministers to give a sectorial analysis of their ministries as well as give short- and medium-term projections about where Nigeria ought to be.
Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali said they were given marching orders by President Bola Tinubu to sign a bond of performance and ensure they meet the expectations of Nigerians.
While the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, said public workers are also part of the delivery process, they must all work hard to ensure that the Bola Tinubu administration’s promises are delivered to Nigerians.
