Two-Day Retreat For 36 Ministers-Designate Flags Off In Abuja; Nigeria's Cabinet On Retreat For Lessons In Ethics

Image Source: BBC

Ministers chosen by Nigeria's President Muhammdu Buhari for his cabinet are on a two-day retreat at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Image source: TheCable

The BBC's Haruna Tangaza says experts are briefing them about what the focus of the government should be and how they will be expected to carry out their jobs.

GRAPHITTI NEWS / BBC News report:

Here Mr Buhari (R) and his deputy Yemi Osinbajo discuss the agenda:

Image credits: Joe Oroye; Image source: BBC

Learning about ethics of governance and a code of conduct is also on the agenda. One of the posters at the gathering says: "From precepts to practice".

TheCable reports that President Muhammadu Buhari wants the incoming members of his cabinet to consider themselves privileged to have been chosen to serve the country at this point in time. Speaking on Thursday while flagging off a two-day retreat for the 36 ministers-designate in Abuja, Buhari charged them to give their best towards ensuring the success of his government.

He identified the priorities of his administration as the diversification of the economy, tackling of insecurity and fighting corruption, and advised the incoming ministers to key into his objectives.

Tagged: ‘Delivering Change from Precepts to Practice’, the programme held at the presidential villa, with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and other top government officials in attendance.

“My election was hinged on the promise to tackle corruption, insecurity, revive the economy and bring change. As ministers, you must be the vehicle that will administer the change,” he said.

“The objective of this retreat is clearly reflected in the choice of topics which you will be dealing with during the sessions. The need for observing the rule of law is being emphasized to ensure that impunity is removed from the system of government.

“It is expected that we make the running of government at all levels as lean as possible, avoid waste and conserve resources. Diversification of the economy away from oil will be a major focus of this government.

“We will intervene in mining and agriculture and upgrade the country’s physical and social infrastructure, which will broaden our revenue base and significantly improve the level of employment, especially among the youth.”

The retreat is organized by the secretary to the government of the federation in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).