President Bola Tinubu has issued a call to action, urging the recently appointed ministers to cooperate with him and each other to realize the goals of the Nigerian people through their work in the executive branch.
He delivered the speech at the inauguration of the 45 confirmed minister-designates on Monday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
“We are in this boat, and even though I am the driver, the entire Nigerian population is sitting in the back, watching as you and I operate this vehicle. We need to keep each other accountable and work hard to live up to the aspirations of all Nigerians.
“As I said earlier on, you are not a minister of a particular state, colony, region or ethnic nationality, you are a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” President Tinubu said.
The President also urged the newly-sworn Ministers to work as a team and emphasised that serving as a minister in the Federal Executive Council is a great privilege.
He added that the greatest number of Nigerians are expectant of their delivery, accountability and transparency and as well expect them to work with integrity, dignity and deliver.
The appointment of the ministers follows President Tinubu’s announcement of the list of ministries for the appointments, which was again reviewed on Sunday, less than a week after their inauguration.
Former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike was sworn in as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), along with Wale Edun (minister of finance and minister of coordination of the economy), Adegboyega Oyetola (minister of the marine and blue economy), David Umahi (minister of works), Festus Keyamo (minister of aviation and aerospace development), and Betta Edu (minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation).