New Ministers open up after swearing in

Some Ministers sworn in by President Bola Tinubu on Monday have opened up on the task before them after the President urged them to join his team in rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges.

Some of the Ministers who spoke are the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda.

In her remarks, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for her appointment and reaffirmed her commitment to aligning with the government’s foreign policy objectives.

“The President has made things easier by establishing a clear foreign policy direction,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised the importance of leveraging the creative potential, skills, and capital of young Nigerians and the Diaspora to enhance service delivery.

She highlighted the significant contribution of the Diaspora, which remitted 22 billion dollars annually, and suggested partnering with them to forge strategic relationships with global financial institutions.

Meanwhile, Jumoke Oduwole, acknowledged President Tinubu’s trade and investment agenda.

She stressed the need to optimise the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Nigerian businesses and retain domestic investment while aggressively attracting new investments.

I will not circumvent civil servants’ functions – Humanitarian Minister

Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, has promised to work with integrity and transparency and not to circumvent the functions of civil servants in the ministry.

Yilwatda gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja when he assumed office as the substantive minister of the ministry. He took over eight months after the suspension of his successor, Betta Edu, over corruption allegations.

”I am here to find a family that we can work together to address the issues that are facing us as a country. We as a nation must recognise, identify, and come together to address poverty levels and humanitarian crises.

”In the university where I served as a director for 12 years, I know how the civil service works, and I will not circumvent civil servants or anybody’s function.

”I appeal to you, the permanent secretary and heads of agencies under the ministry, to give us that opportunity to work for the sake of the vulnerable Nigerians,” he said.

The minister stated that the ministry has a huge image deficit that must be addressed so as to regain the confidence of Nigerians and the international community.

He emphasised the need for members of staff of the ministry to give him maximum cooperation to redeem the image of the ministry in the eyes of the public.

”We must ensure transparency in our dealings, and part of upholding transparency is to ensure that most of our transactions are automated.

”And I am ready to work with all of you to achieve this target because that will encourage people to invest and have partnerships with the ministry to support what we are doing,” he said.

Yilwatda charged heads of agencies to redouble their efforts towards providing the necessary humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable Nigerians amid the government’s current economic reforms.

According to him, it is the ministry’s duty to give human face to the current reforms the government is undertaking.

”Some of the reforms are coming with their consequences, and it is our duty as humanitarian ministry to give human face to every policy of government.

”We must ensure that Nigerians do not feel the pressure of such policies because they are necessary reforms,” he explained.

Mr Abel Enitan, the Permanent Secretary, said the ministry has embarked on a deliberate retrospection in light of the bad image it has attracted in the past.

Enitan stated that it happened due to some certain avoidable systemic infractions.

”But conscious efforts have been made in the last 10 months to enthrone more firmly the culture of transparency and accountability in handling government business. I am pleased to report to you that this is already gaining traction,” he said.

The permanent secretary assured the new minister of workers’ determination to support them towards achieving their mandate.

Yilwatda arrived at the ministry’s conference room in company of Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Yusuf Sununu.

Trade policy must empower Nigerian businesses – Oduwole

The newly appointed Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has pledged to prioritise the empowerment of Nigerian businesses through effective trade policies. Oduwole made the pledge upon her assumption of office on Monday in Abuja.

She outlined her vision for the ministry, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of local enterprises and fostering economic growth. According to Oduwole, trade policies must be tailored to meet the needs of Nigerian businesses.

“Trade policy must work for Nigerian businesses. We must ensure that our trade agreements, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), are optimised for the benefit of local enterprises.

“We must focus on investment retention, therefore we need to create a more conducive environment for businesses currently operating in Nigeria,” she said.

The minister expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts of the ministry and its agencies, underscoring the importance of regular meetings to set measurable targets.

She highlighted the need for accountability and transparency in the implementation of trade initiatives.

“What gets measured gets done. When we focus on what is measured and we work in a systemic manner, then we will not be under pressure. We set targets, we set timelines, and we monitor them.

“We escalate promptly, and we do different. This is what President Bola Tinubu expects.There is a sense of urgency which he reiterated this afternoon at the swearing in.

“We as a team can promise Nigerians today that they will definitely see tangible results from us in the near future. With that, I look forward to working with you,” she said.

Oduwole acknowledged the existing challenges faced by Nigerian businesses, including energy constraints and market access issues.

She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing these bottlenecks, particularly through partnerships with other ministries.

She also reassured stakeholders of her willingness to collaborate with relevant bodies to create productive jobs and enhance Nigeria’s export capabilities.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Nura Rimi, expressed the williness of the ministry to support Oduwole achieve her vision for the industry and Nigeria.

“We all know what is required in Nigeria, but without strong leadership, without strong followership, there is nothing that can be achieved.

“So I will like to call on all directors, who I describe as supportive and hard-working, to join me in supporting the honourable minister.

“The president chose her because he knows that she is the right person. So we all have to come out of our shell to support her,” he said.