President Bola Tinubu yesterday handed a stern warning to his ministers and government functionaries, asking them to be committed enough to produce tangible results for the nation’s progress.
Tinubu made the declaration yesterday at the opening ceremony of his administration’s first Cabinet Retreat at the new Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The 2023 Cabinet Retreat themed, “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda”, is organised for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries and other top government functions.
At the event, the president reiterated his dedication to the Renewed Hope Agenda, leaving no room for complacency.
He also told the gathering that there would be periodic assessments of government functionaries and those who fail to measure up to the target of delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration would be showed that doors.
He said, “If you are performing nothing to fear, if you miss the objective, we’ll review, if no performance you leave us. No one is an island and the bulk stops on my desk.
“I assure you have a free hand; you must be intellectually inquisitive to ask how, why, when and why it must be immediate. You have responsibility to serve the people.
“I’ve taken a young lady very dynamic and Hadiza Balla Usman to head that delivery unit. If you have any complaint about her, see me! If you’re ready to work with her, stay there. Delivery, yes, we must achieve it for the sake of millions of the people.
President Tinubu underlined the importance of delivering results for the Nigerian people, focusing on priorities such as healthcare and education.
He emphasised that “no other weapon against poverty than education,” urging his team to take bold endeavors in these areas.
Addressing the challenges facing Nigeria, the president acknowledged the nation’s potential and urged a forward-looking approach.
While restating his commitment to leading Nigeria to a brighter future, Tinubu made it clear that he would spare no resource to redeem the country from its current state.
He said, “It’s our country, we have no other one; let’s be proud that we’re Nigerians and we can do it; you can show leadership. We can fight to make democracy a lasting reference for the rest of Africa.
“Don’t be afraid to take decisions, but don’t be antagonistic of your supervisor. If they are wrong, debate it. I stand before you and I have claimed several occasions and I’m saying today again, as the President I can make mistakes, point it to me, I will resolve that conflict, that error. Perfection is only that of God almighty.
“But you are there to help me succeed. Success, I must achieve by all means necessary. We have great minds, great intellects and all that we need”.
The president also said he would not complain about the heavy task of piloting the country through economic and social recovery, stating that he had accepted to inherit all the assets and liabilities of his predecessors.
“I accept the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. It is part of my professional background. You are in this ship, don’t wreck it. See the minister as part of a team that will navigate and take it out of troubled waters.
“Healthcare is priority, education is a must. No other weapon against poverty than education. You have the opportunity to change things.
“One of the key complains of the German chancellor and his delegation was… those obstacles are gone, never to come back again, we are open for business. This is why we have set up results”, the president said.
He stressed that “a great Nigeria is possible” and it would only come to fruition through “commitment, guidance and resolute determination.”
President Tinubu further highlighted the importance of addressing corruption, reforming the economy, and lifting 50 million people out of poverty.
“We will transform the economy to work for millions of our citizens we must take 50 million people out of poverty. We must build healthcare that works for all.
“Look around; don’t be wicked. 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.
He encouraged his ministers to be inquisitive, to ask questions and think critically about the matters presented to them.
On his part, secretary to government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, assured the president of their commitment to achieving the renewed hope agenda set forth by the administration.
The primary objective of the cabinet retreat as outlined by Akume is to prepare and sensitize ministers and other participants on the intricacies of government operations.
