Tinubu presides over maiden FEC meeting, charges the Ministers “only God is perfect, don’t be afraid to take decisions”

President Bola Tinubu is presiding over the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of his administration at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He urged his newly sworn-in ministers to see their appointments as a call to serve the people.

In his opening address at the maiden meeting, Tinubu said Nigerians expect a lot from the cabinet and that the ministers will be the conductors while he will be the bus driver.

“We have to make sure that this country succeeds for 200 million people,” Tinubu said. “I accepted the mandate and I have delegated the power to you to serve the country.”

Tinubu reiterated that members of the cabinet will have the opportunity to come up with home grown solutions and re-engineer processes that will lead to availability of resources and making the economy work for the people.

“There are so many things that the cynics will say is impossible, but in your dictionary everything is possible,” Tinubu said. “We have the talent, capacity to turn the country around.”

Tinubu also urged the ministers to see themselves as members of a team and to remain focused. He added that every area is a priority of government.

“We must achieve economic growth, feed our people, leverage on what we have and grow more to satisfy Nigerians,” Tinubu said. “It’s all in your hands now. I’m ready to listen.”

Tinubu added that he is ready for corrections and that only God is perfect. He also told the ministers not to be afraid to take decisions, saying that is the goal of leadership.

“Imagine yourself that you have been called upon to fetch water from a dry well,” Tinubu said. “I am happy to be the captain, the driver of this vehicle.”

The new cabinet members were inaugurated on Monday last week after they were confirmed by the Senate Chamber in line with its constitutional obligation.

It is made of 45 ministers who scaled through the Senate screening while three other nominees were denied clearance.

Attending are Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Head of the Civil Service of the federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan and the Chief of Staff to the President president, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Tinubu had at the swearing-in of ministers on August 21, emphasised that their highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that people can once again believe that the right hands in government can perform.

He had urged the ministers to serve with integrity, dignity, and deliver, stressing that he will hold them to the high standards of the expectations of Nigerians.

“In line with the constitutional obligations the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has screened and confirmed 45 ministers who will superintend over the ministries of federal government in this administration of renewed hope.

“The men and women who have been sworn-in have been carefully selected by me for their track record of excellence and achievement in public and private sector.

“They reflected the diversity of Nigeria and bring to their new role an assortment of experience and expertise to help guide the nation’s affairs and also continue to rebuild the nation and re-engineer all our finances and defects, building blocks of Nigeria today and the future.”