President Bola Tinubu has called upon his newly appointed ministers to unite in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges. This message came after he swore in seven ministers in Abuja, following their swift review and approval by the National Assembly.
In his remarks, President Tinubu underscored the significance of service, stating, “Service is the hallmark of this human endeavour; you are being called upon to serve.” He expressed hope for the nation’s economic revival, asserting, “Economic recovery is on the horizon.”
Acknowledging the hardships many Nigerians face, including a soaring cost of living, the President highlighted recent achievements such as the implementation of a new minimum wage and a reduction in debt servicing from 97% to 65% of government revenue.
The newly sworn-in ministers include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Other ministers appointed are Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development), Yusuf Ata (Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (Minister of State for Education).
President Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the National Assembly for their prompt review and approval of the new cabinet members.
In her address, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed her appreciation for the appointment and reiterated her commitment to aligning with the government’s foreign policy goals. “The President has made things easier by establishing a clear foreign policy direction,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of utilizing the skills and resources of young Nigerians and the Diaspora to improve service delivery. She noted the Diaspora’s significant contribution, which amounts to $22 billion in remittances annually, and proposed strategic partnerships with global financial institutions.
Similarly, Jumoke Oduwole acknowledged President Tinubu’s trade and investment agenda, stressing the need to maximize the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Nigerian businesses. She emphasized the importance of retaining domestic investments while actively attracting new ones.
With these appointments, President Tinubu aims to strengthen his administration’s efforts to tackle the economic and social issues facing Nigeria.
