President, Bola Tinubu said that Nigeria is full of potentials that can be harnessed to move the nation forward.
The President made this declaration in Abuja on Wednesday, at the opening of a three-day retreat for Ministers, Presidential aides, Permanent Secretaries and other cabinet members.
He said the current administration under his leadership, would utilise the population and natural endowments of the country.
He therefore tasked Ministers and other participants at the retreat to be focused and determined to succeed in carrying out their responsibilities.
“Deliver? Yes, we must achieve it for the sake of millions of people. Yes, we are talking about the population of this country. What do you do with it, make it an asset or a liability? We should focus on its progress and come up with all endeavours.
“We have great talents around the world; we are the biggest intellectually sound country in the horn of Africa. Yes, we may have challenges but are still blessed with arable land. We can do it, we can build our country.
“It is about practical determination and focused evaluation. Yes, it is our country; we have no other one, let us be proud that we are Nigerians. We can do it, we can show leadership to make democracy a lasting reference for the rest of Africa,” he said.
President Tinubu said his administration is focused on revamping the education and health sectors to boost the living conditions of Nigerians.
He said: “We have spent the last six months reviewing and evaluating ourselves. We have come a long way. Healthcare is a priority and the education of our people is a must—no other weapon against poverty than education.
“We must build healthcare that works for all, look at the standard of education, look at the classrooms, look at the roads. We can only spend the money; we will find it. We cannot spend the people. ”
The President was optimistic that things would improve, as he added that the menace of corruption would be surmounted.
“I believe in Nigeria. It started from the day I was sworn in, that bold endeavour is only achieved through courage, determination and focused leadership. We are going through the reform but painfully we still have other challenges.
“Let us look forward and be determined that corruption will go, progress will be achieved, better wages for our workers; living wages. We will transform the economy to work for millions of our citizens. We must take 50 million people out of poverty,” he said.
The Nigerian leader admonished Ministers and Permanent Secretaries to cooperate to succeed as they carry out their tasks. He also warned them to either perform or quit.
Dominica Nwabufo
