The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has urged the new set of Ministers to work hard and turn around the fortunes of the country.
President Tinubu gave the charge while addressing the Cabinet members at the opening of the maiden meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
He said: “We have talents; we have the level of intellectuals and capacity to turn this country around. You and I know that the expectation is high and there is a tough time right now therefore we must work hard, commit ourselves, and create a buoyant economy that will serve every Nigerian.”
The President charged the Ministers to work as a team, stressing that “they must stay focused as they discharge their responsibilities, the country will move forward.”
“Everyone of you is a member of this team, We can do whatever we want from our areas of responsibility but it all depends on you. If you stay focused, we will all arrive at a better destination and the country will be better for it,” he said.
Furthermore, the President said the natural endowments of the country must be properly harnessed, to make life better for citizens of the country.
“We must unlock the energy and natural resources of this country. We must start to produce for ourselves, dig ourselves out of the woods, focus on education, and healthcare, and make social investments that are essential for the development of our people.
“Our priority areas are defined in our economic programmes. Every area is our priority and you belong in the driver’s position to realise and make that priority a fulfilling promise to the entire nation and the continent of Africa.
“We must achieve the economic growth that is expected of us. We must feed our people, we must leverage what we have and grow more to satisfy Nigerians. It is only in your hands now,” he stated.
President Tinubu said he is ready to listen to the yearnings of Nigerians and make corrections where necessary, as he enjoined the Ministers to be bold in making decisions that will move the nation forward.
“I am ready to listen. As I said to the Nigerian Bar Association yesterday, I am ready even for corrections because only God is perfect. Don’t be afraid to make decisions; that’s the problem of leadership,” he said.
The Nigerian leader also said the challenges confronting the nation like security, unemployment, and food security would be addressed to alleviate the plight of citizens.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
