I must succeed by all means — Tinubu

•assures foreign investors of freedom to repatriate gains

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared that he must succeed by all means to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians who brought him into office and has therefore charged his ministers and other government officials to help him in this direction.

He spoke at the opening of a three-day retreat with the theme, “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda,” organized for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries, and top government officials at the presidential villa in Abuja, warning that non-performing officials will be kicked out.

The president identified what must be done quickly to enhance the welfare of the people against what he called the ongoing painful reforms, saying: “Poverty is not a shameful thing. It’s only unacceptable. And we have to banish it because it’s unacceptable. Let’s work on other identifiable areas.”

According to him, “We are going through the reform, painfully, and we still have other challenges. Don’t be a clog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress.

“Let us look forward. Let us be determined that corruption will go, progress will be achieved, better wages for our workers, and living wages.

“We will transform the economy to work for millions of our citizens. We must take 50 million people out of poverty. We must build healthcare that works for all. Look around. Don’t be wicked. Look at the standard of education, look at the classrooms, and look at the roads. We can only spend the money, we will find it, we cannot spend the people.

“We are not looking backward; we can’t compare and give excuses. This is our country we have to build it; we have to renew the foundation. We have to give hope to the populace, to Nigerians in doubt whether democracy and economic growth will be the pathway to their prosperity,” he added.

Tinubu declared that he is president for all Nigerians irrespective of whether they are affiliated with political parties or not, noting that the country is one big family with people partitioned into different rooms.

He said: “I’m here to assure you and walk with you the best brains we can put together in civil service, the brain that we can put together in our democratic parliament and have been chosen for us by the public.

“It is a good thing that the chairman of our party is here but the President is the president of all, whether affiliated with some political parties, regardless of religious, ethnic or otherwise, we are one.

“A great Nigeria is possible, and a greater Nigeria will come under your commitment, guidance, and resolute determination to give the country a direction.

“I’m with you. And please be assured that this great country is one family in one house, geographically located, partitioned, and living in different rooms. But we are all one family.

“And we are here to make allegiance and give direction to that one family, making sure that relationships can only be stronger if we give hope to our people. We can only achieve our mission with boldness and strong determination with collaboration.

“As I’ve stated before, no one succeeds alone. You the civil service, you must not see a minister as he or she will come and go and you will be there. You must make a positive team for the good of this country.

“Yes! I admit and accept the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. It’s part of the definition in my professional background.”

He reiterated that as a human being, he will make mistakes, noting that when such errors are pointed out to him, he will immediately correct them, adding that they are there to help him to succeed.

The president remarked: “It’s not about theorizing. It’s about practical determination and focused evaluation. Yes, it is our country. We have no other one. Let’s be proud that we are Nigerians. We can do it, we can show leadership, we can fight to make democracy a lasting reference for the rest of Africa.

“Don’t be afraid to make decisions, but don’t be antagonistic to your supervisor. If they are wrong, debate it. I stand before you and I’ve claimed on several occasions and I’m saying today again as the president, I can make mistakes, point it to me I would resolve that conflict, that error, perfection is only that of God Almighty. But you are there to help me succeed. The success I must achieve by all means necessary.

“We have great minds, great intellectuals, great intellects, and all that we need.”

Addressing the participants, he warned that the civil service should not see the ministers as those who will come and go and will remain, adding that the cabinet members should not be seen as opportunistic individuals but people to partner with to contribute positively to the growth of the nation.

Tinubu stated: “But you are in this ship. You will make good of it but not wreck it. You are a member of a great family; don’t see that minister as opportunistic. See, he or she is a partner that we must take the ship forward. Navigate it through turbulence and clear weather.

“We are lucky we have a nation; the challenges are all over the world. You can see the chaos all around you. But be focused, like a man driving in the tunnel, don’t see the sky, don’t look up, face your direction. Be committed to the value and principle of results that will affect you, your neighbour, and the entire nation.”

Tinubu said that he has accepted the assets and liabilities of his predecessors, telling the participants that as chaos exists around them, they must be focused like one driving in a tunnel to deliver the goods.

“We’ve spent the last six months reviewing and evaluating ourselves, we’ve come a long way, but we set the agenda. Healthcare is a priority. Education of our people is a must. There is no other weapon against poverty than education. You have the opportunity to change things,” he noted.

The president assured foreign investors that they will be able to bring in their capital, invest and repatriate their gains without problems.

Tinubu further stated: “Recently, three days ago, we received the Chancellor of the Republic of Germany and his delegation of investors. One of their key complaints and the question is whether they can bring their capital, repatriate their dividend, or, if not satisfied, take their capital away. The Minister of Trade and Investment was called upon by me to explain further, that those obstacles are gone, never to come back again. We are open for business.

“That is why we established the Result Delivery Unit. At the end of this retreat, you’re going to sign a bond of understanding between you, the ministers, the permanent secretaries, and myself.

“If you are performing, nothing to fear; if you miss the objective, we’ll review; if there is no performance, you leave us. No one is an island, and the buck stops on my desk.

“I assure you, you have a free hand. You must be intellectually inquisitive to ask how, why, when, and why it must be immediate. You have the responsibility to serve the people.”

The president signaled that while borrowing is good, his administration will look inwards, saying: “No crime in borrowing. Thank you, World Bank, for being a lending friend, but let your achievement be homegrown. The determination that Nigeria can do it is here.”

He assured them of a free hand to carry out their responsibilities, admonishing them to ask questions about how, when to do their jobs, saying: “Because a memo is submitted to you doesn’t mean that is the end of that matter. Think through it. Be inquisitive. Ask how, when, why.”

He said that at the end of the retreat, a bond of understanding will be signed between the participants himself.

In his address of welcome, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume, explained that the Cabinet Retreat is designed to prepare and sensitize ministers and other participants on the workings and processes of the government with a view to ensuring Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) deliver on the presidential priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda for 2023 – 2027.

He said the retreat will also provide an opportunity to deepen the understanding of participants on best practices in conducting government business.

He added: “More specifically, the retreat will focus on: ensuring all members are abreast of essential Government processes relating to procurement, budgeting, anti-corruption drive, Federal Executive Council and the role of the Ministers and Permanent Secretaries in managing their Ministries; discussing critical enablers for the robust management of relationship with key stakeholders of Government; understanding the delivery framework and tracking mechanism of the Federal Government; and addressing any tasks and expectations as the president may highlight and direct.”

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