President Bola Tinubu on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed ministers, emphasized the need to restore public confidence in the government.
Tinubu made it clear that he has high expectations for the newly appointed cabinet members, and will hold them to the standards that his administration has promised the people of Nigeria and stressed that the ministers should put the needs of all Nigerians first, not that of their regions or states.
Speaking further, he likened himself to the driver of a bus, with the ministers serving as conductors and the Nigerian people as passengers and urged them to serve with integrity, dignity and deliver.
The president stated: “In line with the constitutional obligations the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has screened and confirmed 45 ministers who will superintend over the ministries of federal government in this administration of renewed hope.
“The men and women who have been sworn in have been carefully selected by me for their track record of excellence and achievement in the public and private sectors.
“They reflected in the diversity of Nigeria and bring to their new role an assortment of experience and expertise to help guide the nation’s affairs and also continue to rebuild the nation and re-engineer all our finances and defects, building blocks of Nigeria today and the future.
“Ministers of the federal republic you are, not minister of a region or Minister of a particular state.
“Since my inauguration on May 29, I have taken steps to begin implementing the agenda from which I campaigned and for which I received the mandate of the Nigerian people. With the inauguration of ministers today, we are about to accelerate our governing efforts to move forward, highlighting our best aspiration for Nigerians. It is all about a great team. And I believe we have them here.
“It is the highest honour to be chosen to serve as the minister in the Federal Executive Council of our beloved Republic. With such high honour comes tremendous responsibility. In this moment of abundant promise and fail in equal measure, all of you who have been sworn in you have been called to distinguish yourselves. It is me who knows you. I delegate this authority, but the greatest number of Nigerians are highly expecting delivery and accountability and transparency.
“I expect that you will serve with integrity, dignity and deliver. I will hold you to that standard we all promised Nigerians.
He further stated: “Your assignment begins immediately. As your country honours you today, by this call to service, you must each work to make yourself worthy in the eyes of God and all our nation’s people.
“Your highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that our people can once again believe that the right hands in government can show. I believe in you that the government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for the collective progress of this country.”