Mr. Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, resumed the Ministry headquarters office on Monday and declared that the current reforms’ discomforts would soon pass.
He claimed that Nigerians will not blow this chance to get the best performance possible from the current crop of the government’s team.
Edun was greeted with songs of unity by the ministry’s delighted staff as he arrived at 1.58 pm.
He entered a meeting behind closed doors right away with the two permanent Secretaries and a small group of ministry senior officials.
Also, in another elaborate session which had Directors of the Ministry in attendance, the former Lagos state Commissioner of Finance underscored Nigerians’ high expectations of the current administration, an expectation he said must not be toyed with.
” I have been to this ministry before now on many occasions on special assignments . The former Minister of Finance Budget and National planning Mrs Zainab Ahmed did a good work. We will consolidate on she did and we will take it to a greater height.
” We need to deliver, we need to perform. Nigerians expectations are high. Mr. President has set the ball rolling.
“He has taken some macro , fiscal and monetary measures that will leave Nigeria for the better. It’s our duty to help him to ensure the pains are minimized. We know we have a job to do to making sure the reforms don’t leave anybody behind”, he said.
He solicited cooperation of ministry’s Directors and other personel in achieving desired result.
” We can do it, let’s work together to ensure we achieve our dream”, said the Minister.
In his introductory remark earlier, Permanent Secretary ( Special Duties) Mr. Udo Okokon Ekanem recalled some of the good antecedents of the Minister as Commissioner of Finance in Lagos state and expressed optimism he will leave such imprint at the federal level.
” Congratulations on your appointment and redeployment to the ministry of finance. Here, we have committed and dedicated staff that are willing and ready to work. We have heard a lot about you, your good work in Lagos. Staff here are receptive. We are ready to work with you”.
Permanent Secretary ( Finance)
Mallam Aliyu Ahmed said the Minister was in a familiar terrain having manned similar portfolios in Lagos and outside of Nigeria where he had tremendous work exposures.