Reflecting On Recent Presidential Retreat For Cabinet Members

Reflecting On Recent Presidential Retreat For Cabinet Members

By Tersoo Zamber

On the mantra of the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Bola Tinubu ascended to the top job in the country on the 29th of May this year.

The President on assumption of duties, began to assemble his team of appointees for the onerous task of governance.

On the other hand, the National Assembly was equally inaugurated on the 9th of June this year.

One of the first assignments of the Senate was the screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees earlier submitted by the President.

Having formed the cabinet, President Tinubu deemed it necessary to bring his cabinet members including ministers, his personal aides and other government officials to a retreat to strategise on delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Retreat which took place last week featured various presentations by authorities drawn both from within and outside the cabinet on Public sector governance.

Before the Presidential Retreat, the National Assembly had held its retreat in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital.

According to the dictionary definition, “Retreat” refers to the act of withdrawing from a difficult situation with a view to preparing for a relaunch to overcome the challenge.

This aptly captures the current situation in the country.

This is because the present administration came to power at a time Nigerians were going through various hardships.

President Tinubu, in his inaugural address to the nation, announced the removal of the Petroleum subsidy, apparently in a bit to solve some of the challenges especially in the downstream sector.

Unfortunately, the pronouncement aggravated the sufferings of the people as prices of petrol skyrocketed to high heavens, far beyond the reach of many Nigerians.

Many families were plunged into poverty, businesses folded up and hunger rate increased.

Therefore, the Presidential Retreat coming at such a time was for the ministers as representatives of the President in their ministries to re-energize themselves for the herculean task of serving Nigerians.

Interestingly, they testified as to how well they have been prepared to implement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

Equally imperative was the performance pact entered into, between the ministers and their Principal, President Tinubu and his aides who were part of the retreat.

They all agreed that they are members of one family.

Also, the President did not mince words when he told his appointees that anyone who performs below expectation will be sacked for those ready for the job to come on board.

This is a good target to set, meaning it is no longer business as usual.

To ensure the effective implantation of this laudable target, President Tinubu immediately set up a Result and Delivery unit to measure the performance of ministers and other top officials in his administration.

He has empowered his Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, to supervise the unit which will keep the ministers on their toes and monitor key performance index.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who supervises the cabinet on behalf of the President urged members to be accountable and work for the actualization of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President has even requested any of his ministers and aides having difficulty in carrying out their duties to report to him.

Indeed, he has demonstrated leadership by the retreat initiative.

All that is left now is the ministers to fold their sleeves and get to work with the deliberate intention to serve Nigerians.

The patience, tolerance and resilience of Nigerians over the unwarranted hardship must not be taken for granted.

They should not be left to continue wallowing in inexplicable poverty while a few privileged swims in luxury.

Edited By Grace Namiji