Abuja, May 22, 2024 – Goerge Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on Wednesday said President Tinubu demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities to , guide the nation in his first year in office.
Akume said Tinubu demonstrated these sterling qualities in spite of the daunting challenges from all angles.
Akume made the remarks in Abuja on Wednesday at a special briefing on the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s Administration.
Also in attendance at the briefing were the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Akume described the first year in the office of President Tinubu as a testament of sorts and “goes to show the unwavering commitment and resilience of this administration towards serving the Nigerian people with diligence, integrity, and dedication”.
“From the outset, President Tinubu’s Administration set forth an ambitious agenda focused on economic revitalization, social inclusion, and infrastructural development.
“The government has implemented significant economic reforms aimed at stabilizing our economy and fostering sustainable growth.
“Key among these is the introduction of policies that have attracted foreign investments, reduced inflation, and boosted job creation across various sectors.
“Mr. President’s commitment to enhancing our nation’s infrastructure is also evident in the completion and ongoing execution of numerous projects, notable among which are the extensive road networks, improved rail systems, and the modernization of our ports, which are vital for boosting trade and connectivity.
“In the same vein, recognizing the importance of human capital development, the present Administration has made substantial investments in healthcare and education.
“The launch of new healthcare facilities and the upgrade of existing ones, along with reforms in our educational system, underscores the government’s dedication to the well-being and future of our citizens.
“More importantly, ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians remains a top priority of Government. It has, therefore, strengthened our security apparatus, enhanced intelligence gathering, and fostered greater collaboration among security agencies to address the multifaceted challenges of security across the country.
“This Administration has also rolled out several social intervention programs aimed at alleviating poverty and empowering the vulnerable segments of our society. These initiatives have provided financial assistance, skill acquisition opportunities, and improved access to essential services.”
Abubakar Atiku Bagudu , the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, said although the country is not where it should be, the government had so far gotten its strategies right.
Bagudu said the country had been bogged down by numerous challenges including insecurity, and decade infrastructure amongst other which impacted investment.
He said to address the situation, the government had to take some important but painful steps.
He said: “As part of coming face to face with our reality, they may involve some discomfort, some pain, but true leadership involves first and foremost telling those who you are leading the truth of their reality.
“So, what is the answer to all these is to restore micro-economy stability that will ensure that investors, both domestic and internationally, put their face in our economy once again, and we’re doing all these without a blame game.
“One of the things that the President was very clear about is not blaming anybody. Some of these are historical, they have taken this under-investment, maybe they have been decades in the making, but the bold and courageous leader that he is, he said, ‘I’m going to take them on and I apologize for the pain that they might occasion, but they are necessary.
“So not surprisingly, the exchange rate is not yet where we want it to be, inflation is not yet where we want to be, but is our strategy, right? Absolutely.
“We believe our strategy is right, but it requires occasional calibration, putting good money to use,” he said. (GBN)
