As new ministers took their oaths of office on Monday, President Bola Tinubu has emphasised the crucial task of rebuilding public confidence in the government.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the 45 ministers held at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu urged them to prioritize transparency, integrity, and the needs of the nation.
Addressing a diverse and engaged audience, President Tinubu outlined his expectations for the newly appointed cabinet members, showing his commitment to holding them accountable to the standards the administration had promised the Nigerian people.
He told the ministers that they should work for Nigerians and not their regions or their individual states.
Tinubu, who said that he would be in the driver’s seat, the ministers as conductors with all other Nigerians in the vehicle, said that their assignment started immediately.
The president stated: “In line with the constitutional obligations the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has screened and confirmed 45 ministers who will superintend over the ministries of federal government in this administration of renewed hope.
“The men and women who have been sworn in have been carefully selected by me for their track record of excellence and achievement in the public and private sectors.
“They reflected in the diversity of Nigeria and bring to their new role an assortment of experience and expertise to help guide the nation’s affairs and also continue to rebuild the nation and re-engineer all our finances and defects, building blocks of Nigeria today and the future.
“Fellow Nigerians, the challenges we face today are very daunting yes, there are yet amidst this evident challenge, we have the opportunity to implement long overdue reforms that will improve the operation of government, transform our nation’s economy and ensure peace, safety and prosperity for our people.
“These are the objectives that underpin the renewed hope agenda. And these are the objectives that inspired the selection of a lot of these distinguished ladies and gentlemen ministers.
“Ministers of the federal republic you are, not minister of a region or Minister of a particular state.
“Since my inauguration on May 29, I have taken steps to begin implementing the agenda from which I campaigned and for which I received the mandate of the Nigerian people. With the inauguration of ministers today, we are about to accelerate our governing efforts to move forward, highlighting our best aspiration for Nigerians. It is all about a great team. And I believe we have them here.
“It is the highest honour to be chosen to serve as the minister in the Federal Executive Council of our beloved Republic. With such high honour comes tremendous responsibility. In this moment of abundant promise and fail in equal measure, all of you who have been sworn in you have been called to distinguish yourselves. It is me who knows you. I delegate this authority, but the greatest number of Nigerians are highly expecting delivery and accountability and transparency.
“I expect that you will serve with integrity, dignity and deliver. I will hold you to that standard we all promised Nigerians.
Hitting The Ground Running
He further stated: “Your assignment begins immediately. As your country honours you today, by this call to service, you must each work to make yourself worthy in the eyes of God and all our nation’s people.
“Your highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that our people can once again believe that the right hands in government can show. I believe in you that the government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for the collective progress of this country.
“I congratulate you and welcome you to the administration of renewed hope. I wish you success in this new assignment. We are on this boat even if it is a vehicle and I am the driver the entire Nigerians are behind sitting and watching as you and I navigate this vehicle.
“We must hold each other responsible. We have to do the job to meet the expectations of all Nigerians.
“As I said earlier on, you are not a minister of a particular state, colonies, region or ethnic nationality, you are a Minister of the federal republic of Nigeria. God be with you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
