President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday made a fervent prayer for his newly appointed ministers: they should expect hard times. "May your road be rough," he said, as the war against corruption will start with anti-graft agencies beaming their searchlight on them and their ministries.
The president hinted that his economic team would be headed by his prospective minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Although the out-going managing director of the World Bank was absent at the swearing-in of ministers last week, the position of finance minister was left vacant pending her return from Washington, DC, where she was said to have gone to formally resign her appointment.
"Our plan is to restructure the economic management team in order to make it more functional; the new structure will be coordinated by the minister of finance, with a charge to ensure improved performance of key economic sectors and greater efficiency," Jonathan said.
He also noted that his administration was not a government of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but a government of the Nigerian people.
The president, who spoke while swearing in the last batch of nine ministers at the presidential villa, said: "One critical issue that will also engage our attention is the issue of corruption. There is no doubt that our rating in the Global Corruption Index is embarrassing. Corruption is therefore the monster that we need to confront and defeat, in order to raise the country's integrity profile. The war against corruption in this dispensation will start at the centre.
"The anti-corruption agencies have been directed to beam their searchlights on the ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government, and also focus on the states and local government areas, in order to send out a clear signal that no form of abuse will be tolerated. We will carry out a comprehensive audit of all ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government beginning from June 2007. You must observe due process in all that you do. I expect you to be above board."
Sounding clerical, Jonathan, who engaged the ministers in what appeared like a baptism of fire, told them: "Remember the words of the late Tai Solarin, in a January 1, 1964, essay: 'May your road be rough', he said. I am not cursing you; I am wishing you what I wish myself every year. I therefore repeat, may you have a hard time this year, may there be plenty of troubles for you this year!
"If you are not so sure what you should say back, why not just say, same on you? I ask no more!" Obviously, the road ahead of us may be rough, but with sincere and purposeful leadership, we will surely succeed in transforming this country," he added.
Enjoining the ministers not to see their position as a job or a reward for status but as an opportunity to serve Nigerians, Jonathan said: "You must remember that Nigerians have serious concerns about the integrity of their leaders. We cannot just talk about transformation; Nigerians must see us taking serious steps in that regard.
"To start with, this is not a government of the ruling party; this is a government of the Nigerian people. Each one of you must prove that you are deserving of the honour of recognition and of the portfolio that has been assigned to you.
"In the various speeches that I gave from the primaries through the campaigns to the inauguration on 29th May, I promised Nigerians that I will run a transparent government and ensure a significant improvement in our economy. You are to join me and the vice president to achieve this.
While noting that his choice of ministers was made by a selection based on an assessment of expertise, integrity, experience, qualifications, and due consultations with a broad category of stakeholders, the president said he was concerned however, that in the course of selecting the cabinet members, he "received disturbing reports of threats of assassination to nominees, their families and friends, and so much campaign of calumny to discourage them from coming into government to serve.
"This is most unfortunate; service to the nation is a patriotic duty that every citizen must look up to, and support. There is no greater responsibility than service to the nation."
Stressing the task ahead of the new cabinet the president said: "We are expected to stabilise power supply in the country, as a minimum pre-condition for strengthening national productivity, we are expected to generate employment for our unemployed youth; we are expected to revolutionise the agricultural sector and ensure food security for the people; we are expected to sanitise the oil and gas sector; the people also want good roads, a more qualitative public school system, as well as more efficient public health and transportation systems, and so on."
The president noted further: "Our nation has been described by certain person, as a failed state. But we are definitely not a failed state. We are a country of talented people, who have the capacity to address whatever challenges our country may be facing. Other nations have passed through their own trying moments, in no way is our experience peculiar.
"I believe with a transformational leadership that is willing and committed, we can reposition our country for economic growth and development, and win the support of all and sundry, including those who are in doubt or denial."
He however assured the ministers that everything would be done to provide an enabling environment for them to be able to function efficiently, adding that "I will also personally ensure that we remain focused as a team, and that the confidence that the people repose in us, is not taken for granted".
The new ministers sworn in yesterday are: Dr. Mohammed Ali-Pate (Bauchi), Chief Edem Duke (Cross River), Mrs. Omobola Johnson (Ondo,) Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Melafia (Kaduna,) Dr. Nurudeen Mohammad (Jigawa), Mrs. Sarah Ocheape (Plateau) Ms. Ama Pepple (Rivers), Ezebunwo Nyedem Wike (Rivers) and Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina Ayodeji (Ogun).
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That was an inspirational address by Mr President. Our wish, hope and expectation are that the tone of exhortation endures through this presidency, and no public officer entertains any doubt as to the direction of the administrations agenda. With an up-front, unambiguous. zero tolerance anti-corruption policy statement, any ministerial appointee too week to be in compliance, has time enough for an introverted character self-reappraisal. it would be good for the President oblige them the time..
In spite of all good intentions, and the painstaking selection, there is no doubt that, like wolves in sheep's clothes, some of the… [ Read Full Text ]
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