Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the unity of all Nigerians assuring that he is a President of all, regardless of religious, ethnic, political, or otherwise.
The President made the call while declaring open the 2023 Cabinet Retreat with the theme: Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda, organised for Ministers, Presidential Aides, Permanent Secretaries and Top Government Functionaries.
President Tinubu charged the participants at the retreat to work towards a greater Nigeria, reassuring them that a great Nigeria is possible and a greater Nigeria will come under their commitment, guidance and resolute to give the nation direction.
The Nigerian Leader emphasised that rebuilding Nigeria is a collective responsibility, he called on the executives to join hands with him to renew the foundation of the nation and give hope to the near-hopeless.
“It is our country we have to build it, we have to renew the foundation. We have to give hope to the near-hopeless. With strong determination, we have brought together the best brains, and the best hands to navigate the future of Nigeria. We can’t complain and give excuses.
President Tinubu who said that no one succeeds alone assured the top government functionaries of his support in the discharge of their duties reaffirming the need for all the participants to be determined and collaborate towards the achievement of the 8-point agenda of his administration.
“A great Nigeria is possible and a greater Nigeria will come under our commitment, guidance and resolute determination to give the country a direction.
I am 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 one family.
“And we are here 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 and can only achieve our vision with boldness and strong determination with collaboration,” the President stated.
He tasked the Nigerian Civil Service to positively contribute to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu cautioned that they must not see the Political appointees as opportunists.
“I am here to assure you that I will work with you, the best brain we can put to get in civil service, the best brains that we can put together in our democratic parliament and has been chosen for us by the public.
“Don’t see that Minister as an opportunist but a partner that you must take this ship forward. Navigate it through turbulent and clear weather. But you are in this ship, you will make good of it but not wreck it. 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, and be committed to the values and principles of results that will affect you, your neighbour and the entire nation.” President Tinubu added.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume said that the retreat will provide the opportunity to deepen the understanding of participants in best practices in conducting government business.
The SGF also stated that most specifically the retreat will keep members abreast with essential government matters procurement, budgeting anti-corruption drive as well as exposing the executives to federal executive councils, roles of the Ministers and the Perm secretaries in managing Ministries.
“It will also discuss critical enablers for robust management of relationships with stakeholders of government relating to addressing any tasks and expectations of the President may highlight and direct,” the SGF added.
In his Goodwill Message, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, applauded the economic reforms of President Tinubu’s administration.
He confirmed the UK’s renewed partnership with Nigeria as well as with the cabinet members of President Tinubu’s administration and with the Nigerian people.
Also, World Bank Country Representative in Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri said now was the time to rebuild Nigeria, he applauded President Tinubu’s courage to end what he described as haemorrhage and the tender spot of Nigeria’s space in the last few years.
“I think we all recognise how truly kind of remarkable that has been and that it has not been easy. In these last few months, the economy, society, the people, and Nigerians have had to live through hard times. And Nigeria continues to be in a tender spot, but you stop the haemorrhage. But now comes the time to rebuild to recover.
“Mr President from the inaugural address, you made it very clear what your choice was. We’ve taken some incredibly bold steps, ones that very few leaders, if any, would have had the courage to chart this new course for Nigeria to provide that renewed hope. I think we all recognize how truly kind of remarkable that has been and that it has not been easy. In these last few months, the economy, society, the people, and Nigerians have had to live through hard times. And Nigeria continues to be in a tender spot, but you stop the haemorrhage.
He pledged the full support of the World Bank to other reforms and policies of the Nigerian government.
“But now comes the time to rebuild to recover. Please count on us, there will still be some incredibly hard choices and decisions that you and your cabinet will need to make. Please count on us to be there to help support you.
The 3-day retreat will end on Friday, 3rd of November, 2023.
Dominica Nwabufo
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