ABUJA, November 3, 2023 – President Bola Tinubu has delivered a resolute message to his ministers, urging them to set aside personal ambitions and focus their energies on the administration’s mission to uplift 50 million Nigerians out of poverty. The President emphasized this directive during the closing remarks of a three-day cabinet retreat that brought together ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries, and top government functionaries at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
In his address, President Tinubu left no room for excuses, asserting, “You’re not here to make excuses, neither am I…you must put aside personal ambitions and focus on the progress of our nation.” The President underscored that every participant had a shared responsibility to transform the nation and change the prevailing narrative about Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of resolving any discrepancies through constructive dialogue.
President Tinubu also stressed the need for deeper collaboration between the ministers, who are his appointees, and the permanent secretaries to ensure that the country can recover from the challenges it faces, likening it to “elephantiasis,” a metaphor for the critical issues that demand collective attention.
During the retreat, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, presented some of the recommendations that emerged from the intensive three-day session. These recommendations included proposals to raise the approval threshold of public procurement, encourage open bidding, and require submission of memoranda to the cabinet office at least three days before Federal Executive Council meetings.
Furthermore, ministers presenting memoranda at the council will now be expected to appear alongside their permanent secretaries, enhancing transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.
The President’s firm call for unity and commitment to the nation’s well-being is expected to guide the actions and decisions of his cabinet as they work collectively towards the ambitious goal of uplifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.