On Saturday, President Bola Tinubu warned Nigerians to brace for the introduction of a slew of new, stern policy measures from his administration as part of its effort to reposition government for efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.
On Saturday night, at the Gala/Award Nite, the culmination of the 2023 Federal Civil Service Week celebration, the President, in a speech read by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume, stated that the primary concern of his administration is to revamp the economy and improve the welfare of the citizens.
Creating the country of “our dreams” by learning from past mistakes is an extremely uncommon opportunity, he said, and Nigeria now has it.
Remember that gas prices have gone up twice since May 29, 2023, when President Tinubu announced the total withdrawal of fuel subsidy in his inaugural speech at Eagle Square, Abuja. The commodity’s price grew from N198/litre on March 30, 2022, to N540/litre on May 30, 2023, and then to N617/litre.
But Tinubu said this during his Saturday night speech at the International Conference Centre (ICC):
The elimination of the fuel subsidy and the implementation of the new FX regime, my first two initiatives as president, are already showing positive benefits.
We have been praised for having the bravery to implement these policy changes internationally.
He promised that the country’s residents will receive “adequate relief and succour” for their suffering. “We shall, without delay, cushion the pains being experienced by our people as a result of these measures,” he stated.
Tinubu bemoaned the fact that Nigeria is facing a plethora of massive difficulties that could have been solved conclusively and decisively throughout the years, arguing that, in order to progress, the country must be reoriented and rethought in accordance with the hopes of its founders.
The President acknowledged that the event was a social gathering to relax and honor the excellent and admirable performance of deserving government officials, but he also stated it was a propitious time for him to share the vision of his administration.
He also mentioned that the day was celebrated in accordance with a declaration made in 1994 by the African Union (AU) that designated July 21 as African Public Service Day and encouraged all African nations to hold similar events to honor their public civil servants.
He characterized the Civil Service as a central pillar of government, whose goals center on the creation of programs and policies that boost national economic and interdisciplinary development.
He continued by saying that the current administration has very high standards, thus the Civil Service needs to step up its reform efforts to meet them.
“I personally appreciate the federal civil service as the custodian of public trust and promise to empower it in order for them to consolidate on the gains of the ongoing reforms and introduce other smart and radical policies and administrative measures to make it more competent, accountable, and Citizens-centered in the delivery of public services,” he said.
He advised government workers to use the holiday to reflect on their work and evaluate how they might better serve the public, noting that the holiday was an excellent time to reevaluate how they could do so.
While stressing that Nigeria will be the first priority of his administration, he also said that only a Nigeria that has saved itself could save the rest of Africa.
“Therefore, as much as we shall focus on Africa, our primary attention shall be to revamp our nation’s economy and improve the welfare of the citizens,” the President stated.
According to Tinubu, “digitization of work processes in the public service, the gateway to efficient resource utilization and national development, is apt and appropriate for this commemoration” (This is why Tinubu is “pleased at the adopted Nigerian theme”).
What he said was:
There is no way to stay analog when facing the issues of modern administration. The challenge we face as a nation and a government is significant, but the road to victory is bright if we take the correct steps.
We have no choice but to embrace digitalization. Please understand that our vision and mission are predicated on the implementation of policies and programs aimed at boosting the national economy on multiple fronts, and that the expectations of this administration of the civil service are high.
To reorient governance for efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity, many difficult policy and conceptual reforms will be implemented.
The federal civil service strategy and implementation plan for 2021–2025 has six pillars with commendable goals that must be prioritized and achieved if the civil service is to live up to the expectations of the current administration.
We are at a turning point in our history as a nation and it is imperative that we chart our own course.Clearly, we face a plethora of enormous difficulties that we should have dealt with firmly and decisively throughout time.
The failure to establish the vision of a great Nigeria, the Giant of Africa, and put in place the enabling building pieces for its realization.
“Thank goodness, for every chance we’ve passed up in the past, we now have a fantastic one. So that we may readjust our sights, refocus our efforts, make amends for wrongs done, and renew our faith in our ability to build the Nigeria of our dreams.
Our vision is a new Nigeria that provides equal access to resources, develops the talents of every citizen, and encourages everyone to push themselves to their limits so that Nigeria can be recognized as a global powerhouse.
This is a key plank in our vision for revitalizing America and regaining international prominence, Renewed Hope.
With your help, patience, perseverance, and sacrifice, Tinubu stated, “we are sure that this government is steadfast in its unwavering faith that with our renewed hope and make our beloved nation great and prosperous again.”
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