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* Directs Foreign Affairs Min to freeze processing of visas for govt officials without functional schedule at UNGA
* Action meant to reflect financial prudence and respect for sacrifice made by Nigerians to revamp economy
By Jon Egie
As part of a broader effort to reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to freeze the processing of visas for all government officials seeking to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly without proof of direct participation in UNGA’s official schedule of activities.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale yesterday.
And to prevent any sharp practice in this regard, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria was accordingly guided on official visa processing while Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York was further directed to prevent and stop the accreditation of any government official who was not placed on the protocol lists forwarded by the approving authority.
” By this directive of the President, all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies are mandated to ensure that all officials, who are approved for inclusion in the UNGA delegation, strictly limit the number of aides and associated staff partaking in the event. Where excesses or anomalies in this regard are identified, they will be removed during the final verification process.
“The President wishes to affirm that, henceforth, government officials and government expenditure must reflect the prudence and sacrifice being made by well-meaning Nigerians across the nation.” The statement added.
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Tinubu says his Cabinet has intellectual capacity to turn Nigeria economy around
President Bola Tinubu has said his cabinet members have the talent and intellectual capacity to turn Nigeria around.
The President spoke on Monday when he addressed newly sworn in ministers at the inaugural Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja.
The President told the new ministers that the hopes and aspirations of 200 million fellow Nigerians rested on their daily actions and that he will relentlessly provide the focused leadership required to stop failure in its tracks so that sustainable progress can be achieved.
“We shall evolve a homegrown re-engineering of our finances, a reimagined stewardship of our resources, and we will let the economy work for the people of this country.
“There are so many things we can and will do. Yes, some cynics will say it is impossible. But in your own dictionary of service, everything is possible, and it must be possible,” the President said.
Emphasising that anyone thinking that appointments are fixed term appointments are mistaken, the President expressed confidence that the carefully selected cabinet members know that his government is a new one with a new approach and a new mandate to deliver for Nigeria without any lamentation or excuses.
“We have the talent. We have the level of intellectual capacity required to turn this country around. We will make sure that the country is on the right path to succeed on behalf of more than 200 million Nigerians who rely on us,” the President said.
Tinubu said expectations are high and underperformance won’t be tolerated from any of his cabinet members.
“You and I know that expectations are high, and these are tough times. We must work hard and move ourselves to create a buoyant economy that will serve Nigeria. We have an employment rate that is unacceptable, and we are facing threats from climate change.
“In order to turn things around, you have been selected to perform your utmost best. Our policy implementation will reform the economy, ensure inclusive growth, and strengthen security for peace and prosperity. Without security, there can be no investment,” the President said.
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