Tinubu’s Ministers reel out plans, promise to deliver
…As President Tinubu charges Ministers to deliver on promises, be accountable
…I’ll ensure responsible utilisation of marine resources to tap $1.5trn blue economy — Oyetola
…Wike reads Riot Act to cattle owners, hints on demolition of illegal buildings
…Tijani seeks to create opportunities to bolster gains of Digital Economy
By Moses Adeniyi, Dennis Mathew, Joel Oladele, Blessing Emmanuel
Ministers inaugurated to serve as members of the Federal Executive Council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have reeled out their plans for the effectiveness of the ministries they have been deployed to man.
Inaugurated on Monday into his cabinet were 45 ministers including former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Festus Keyamo as Minister of Aviation.
Other ministers include Wale Edun (Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Adegboyega Oyetola (Transportation), David Umahi (Works), Festus Keyamo (Aviation and Aerospace Development), and Betta Edu (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation).
The Ministers at different foras on a visit to their respective ministries promises to deliver and not fail Nigerians for the trust bestowed on them to occupy the office.
…I’ll ensure responsible utilisation of marine resources to tap $1.5trn blue economy — Oyetola
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday resumed duty as a minister in Abuja, promising to come up with practicable ways of ensuring that the inland rivers, lakes, and waterways are utilised for cargo shipment and passenger transportation.
Oyetola who said that the blue economy is estimated globally to be worth more than $1.5 trillion annually, noted that considering the size of the Nigeria’s blue economy, the Country should be a significant player in the sector to contribute to the revenue and also create job opportunities.
Oyetola who was received by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Emmanuel Jime, and some Directors of the ministry, urged the ministry staff to work with him to find innovative solutions to the challenges in the sector and ensure that the oceans and marine are safe, reliable, and sustainable.
“Our oceans cover more than two-thirds of our planet’s surface, holding the key to sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, and technological innovation. As we look ahead, my vision is rooted in the responsible management and utilisation of our marine resources to benefit not only our economy but also the health of our planet.
“Experts say the Blue Economy is estimated to be worth more than $1.5 trillion per year globally. Therefore, given our size as a country and considering the size of our blue economy, we should be a significant player in this sector, to contribute immensely to the revenue generation of our country and also provide jobs for the unemployed.
“We must come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our inland rivers, lakes, and waterways are well utilised, both in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation.
“This can be done by embarking on a holistic dredging campaign for most of our strategically important inland waterways to make them navigable for the passage of goods and people,” he said.
Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State, also said he would promote better inter-agency cooperation and coordination between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.
“As someone with a strong private sector background, we shall promote greater private sector inclusion while fostering greater efficiency through specialisation and the effective delineation of core duties between the units.
“We must seize this opportunity to create positive change, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come. These are my thoughts as I join you today. I believe that when we are able to do all these and more, we would have contributed our quota towards realising Mr President’s renewed Hope Agenda in the Marine and Blue Economy sector,” he added.
…Tijani seeks to create opportunities to bolster gains of Digital Economy
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani has said he will be more concerned with cresting opportunities to bolater the gains of Nigeria’s Digital Economy
At a press briefing Dr Tijani pointed out that talent is not the challenge of Nigeria as “we have lots of talented Nigerians littered all over the world, but there is no opportunity in the country for the talented to express themselves.”
Minister Tijani said the summary of his agenda was to harmonizse the gains recorded in the ministry since its inception, from both private and public sectors, and improve the economy of the country.
“I am not here as a technocrat who is looking to shake things up, I am here as a technocrat to understand the gains that we have made since the inception of this ministry, both in the private and public sector, and see how we can harmonise it to help give Nigerians the opportunity they actually deserve and there is no better way to do this but through collaboration and network.
“Talent is not really our problem, but how to connect them to opportunities available.
“I am extremely excited to be here. I believe the work we have been doing in the last 14 years, both in the private and public sector, that we have a unique opportunity to intentionally connect it, that as we formulate policies and regulations that can protect Nigeria from the vices that comes with digital technology. But at the same time, that the policy would open up opportunity for more people to actually build up into prosperity. This is my agenda and I will be looking forward to working with each and every one of you, with all the partners I have to upskill ourselves to get the best knowledge and connect with people all over the world, while we ensure that we bring benefit back home,” He said.
…Power Minister, Adelabu promises to tackle challenges of unstable power supply
On his part, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has promised to tackle the challenges of unstable power supply grappling the sector.
Adelabu said the Ministry under his watch will diligently provide optimal solutions for Nigeria’s power needs.
“This responsibility weighs heavily upon us, and it is with conviction, divine guidance, and the support of President Tinubu, the National Assembly, government agencies and Nigerians that I pledge my commitment to achieve success in the power sector.
“Key to success will be an unwavering dedication to efficiency and collaboration,” he said.
Adelabu said that the Ministry would foster robust partnerships between the private and public sectors, working collectively to enhance the nation’s economic and social well-being.
“Our focus will extend to aspects of life that truly matter: from households to small businesses, educational institutions to massive industrial productions, and beyond.
“A significant goal is the universal metering of households and addressing the challenges faced by our national power grid.
“We will equally pay critical attention to the options of renewable and alternative energies. The world is indeed going towards this direction and Nigeria must not be left behind,” he said.
To achieve the feat, Adelabu said the ministry will leverage the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023 to boost the power supply in the Country.
…Wike reads Riot Act to cattle owners, hints on demolition of illegal buildings
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to demolish houses illegally constructed within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Wike who gave the warning during a press briefing at the office of the FCT Minister in Garki, Abuja, on Monday, said houses that had been built to distort the Abuja Masterplan, as well as built on green areas, will also be demolished, no matter who it belonged to.
“All those people who are distorting the Masterplan of Abuja, too bad. If you know you have built where you are not supposed to build, it will go down.
“Be you a Minister of anywhere, be you an ambassador, if you know you have developed where you were not supposed to develop, your house must go down. Those who have taken over the green areas to build, sorry, our parks must come back, the green areas must come back. If you hate green, you must hate yourself,” Wike said.
While responding to questions as to whether his threatened demolition will be used as a form of vendetta against his enemies, Wike said, “Say the truth, you don’t like those who step on toes. I will step on toes.
“The big and mighty, I will step on them. If you are doing what is wrong, I will do what I am supposed to do.”
He noted that the task before him is to return the FCT to the standard of what it used to be, and not to witch hunt anyone.
…Foreign Affairs Minister speaks on vision for Nigeria’s foreign policy
The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar on the other hand revealed that his vision as a minister for Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.
Hinging them on ”Four Ds” namely Development, Democracy, Demography, and Diaspora.
Tugar disclosed this in his address at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja after he was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu alongside 44 other Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023 noted that the “four Ds” policy will reposition the country at the pinnacle of visionary and global decision making.
Tuggar while pledging to serve Nigeria wholeheartedly asked for the support of stakeholders to make this a reality.
“It is the highest honour to be asked to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs by his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As a historically important Ministry, Foreign Affairs has long represented the highest standard of excellence. It is therefore our job to ensure those standards will never fail.
“These are turbulent times. From the unfolding political crises in Niger Republic, to the regional insecurity and economic insecurity, we have a lot of work to do.
“In due time, we will also be unveiling a new vision for Nigeria’s foreign policy, four D’s diplomacy.
“Through this doctrine centered on development, democracy, demography and diaspora, we hope to find modern solutions in other to address complex modern problems.
“I will be counting on your cooperation and partnership. And by the special grace of God and with your support, I am sure that we can place Nigeria where she belongs, at the pinnacle of visional and global decision making,” Tuggar said.
…Edun tasks workers on commitment, transformation of economy amidst inflation
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy for Nigeria, Wale Edun tasked the management Staff of the Ministry on commitment and cooperation in transforming the Economy amidst the inflation occasioned by the fuel price at the international market.
The Minister made the disclosure while briefing journalists at the conference Hall during a meeting with the Directors and Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said, “President Tinubu has set key macro and fiscal policies to transform Economy through our key performances.
“The President has given us a matching order to ensure that we come out with Economic policies and programmes that will assist the vulnerable people to reduce their suffering. Therefore, everyone of us should cooperate and deliver on this duty bound.
“I have been having interactions with the Ministry when I was appointed as part of the presidential transition Board and I have seen the capacity of the Ministry to deliver with digital Economy.”
Mr. Edun lauded the performance of his predecessor, Dr. Zainab Ahmed while noting that his tenure will continue from where she achievements to take the ministry to greater heights.
…I won’t lie but provide credible information to the public — Information Minister, Idris Malagi
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris Malagi says his ministry will drive President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ with dissemination of honest and sincere information.
The minister stated this when he assumed office and held the maiden meeting with heads and management staff of the agencies and departments under the ministry at the Radio House, Abuja.
The minister, who said he was familiar with the information industry, pledged that dissemination of credible information would be his watchword.
“Mr President did not tell me to come and lie and this is a covenant I am going to have with you and Nigerians.
“Mr President is somebody who is a stickler for honesty, truth, and transparency.
“He has directed that we own up where there are mistakes, own up where we err, and we should not be shy to say ‘look, this is wrong, we are going to correct it.
“National orientation will also be at the core of this ministry, in addition to the job of information dissemination as we know it,” he said.
Idris who said the ministry would unveil its agenda in the next few days, sought the support of the media and other stakeholders.
