MINISTER of State, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed on Monday took over the affairs in the Federal Ministry of Finance in a supervisory capacity.
This followed the sudden resignation of Mrs Kemi Adeosun on Friday over forged NYSC exemption certificate.
At a meeting with the Permanent Secretary and directors of the ministry, Ahmed, promised to work hard to ensure that the country attains greater economic stability.
Ahmed noted that the country is currently facing very serious revenue challenges, and it is the responsibility of the Ministry to do everything possible to shore up the revenue base of the country.
“We have very serious revenue challenges and it is up to us to make sure we shore up the revenue base of the country”, she said.
She charged the management staff of the Ministry to do all within their power to justify the confidence of the President in their ability to achieve the much needed economic turnaround in the country.
“The President has a lot of confidence that we can do this if we work together. You are working for the President and at the end of the day, you’re working for the benefit of the citizens” she opined.
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She expressed her readiness to ensure the harmonious working relationship with the Permanent Secretary and management of the Ministry, whom she said are highly skilled.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse assured the Minister of the readiness of the management and staff of the Ministry to give her the needed support in her duties.
A mild drama had earlier ensued soon as she disembarked from her vehicle at exactly 9.27 am as she was immediately confronted with the solidarity song: “solidarity for ever” by leaders of the labour union.
In a brief chat with them, Ahmed said ” we will work together” and then escorted inside by the Permanent Secretary and other directors.
Until her New role as the Supervising Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed is the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning. She was directed to oversee the Ministry of Finance by President Muhammadu Buhari, after the resignation of former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun on Friday, September 14, 2018.
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She is a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), a member of the Nigerian Institute of Taxation and the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
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