President Bola Tinubu has urged the newly appointed ministers to join his team in rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges.

Mr Tinubu gave the charge after swearing in seven ministers in Abuja, following their swift review by the National Assembly.

The President emphasised the importance of service, stating, “Service is the hallmark of this human endeavour; you are being called upon to serve.”

Mr Tinubu expressed optimism about the country’s economic recovery, saying, “Economic recovery is on the horizon.”

“We have a good path to realise our dreams and it is not just for us; it is for our children and grandchildren.”

He acknowledged the challenges Nigerians face, including a high cost of living, but highlighted progress in paying the new minimum wage and reducing debt servicing from 97 per cent to 65 per cent of revenue.

The new ministers sworn in are Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour & Employment; and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Others are Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment (Trade and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, Yusuf Ata, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State for Education.

Mr Tinubu thanked the National Assembly for their efficient review and approval of the new ministers.

In her remarks, Ms 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 direction,” she said.

Ms 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 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 for Nigerian businesses and retain domestic investment while aggressively attracting new investments. 

(NAN)