Tinubu to ministers: You’re to serve Nigeria — not regions or states

President Bola Tinubu has urged the newly appointed ministers to serve the country with “integrity, dignity and deliver” in their different assignments.

Tinubu spoke on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 45 ministers-designate at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Addressing the new ministers, the president said the country is currently battling “daunting” challenges, adding that the ministers must implement “long overdue” reforms.

Tinubu said the assignment before the ministers begins immediately and that they must meet the expectations of Nigerians.

The president told the new cabinet members that they are ministers of the country and not ministers of a region or state.

“I expect that you will serve with integrity, dignity and deliver. I will hold you to that standard we all promised Nigerians,” the president said.

“Your assignment begins immediately.

“As your country honours you today, by this call to service, you must each work to make yourself worthy in the eyes of God and all our nation’s people.

“Your highest obligation is to return public faith in government so that our people can once again believe what the right hands in government can show.

“I believe in you that the government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for collective progress of this country.

“I wish you success in this new assignment. We are on this boat even if it is a vehicle and I am the driver. The entire Nigerians are behind sitting and watching as you and I navigate this vehicle.

“We must hold each other responsible. We have to do the job to meet the expectations of all Nigerians.”

Recently, the president sent the list of 48 ministerial nominees to the senate for screening and confirmation but only 45 were cleared.

On August 16, President Bola Tinubu assigned portfolios to the ministerial nominees.

Over the weekend, the successful ministers-designate had their documentation at the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).