Skip to main content

NIGERIA FACES SERIOUS REVENUE CHALLENGES - Says Zainab Ahmed

Image may contain: 1 person, sitting and indoor
The newly appointed supervising Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Monday revealed that Nigeria was facing serious revenue challenges.

She, however, promised that the ministry would do everything possible to shore up the revenue base of the country.

Ahmed was directed to oversee the Ministry of Finance by President Muhammadu Buhari after the resignation of former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, on Friday.

While officially resuming for duties yesterday at the Ministry of Finance, she promised to work diligently to ensure that the country attains greater economic stability.

She said, “We have very serious revenue challenges and it is up to us to make sure we shore up the revenue base of the country.

“The president has a lot of confidence that we can do this if we work together. You are working for the president and at the end of the day; you’re working for the benefit of the citizens.”

The minister expressed her readiness to ensure harmonious working relationship with the permanent secretary and management of the ministry, whom she described as highly skilled.

She charged the management staff of the ministry to do all within their power to justify the confidence of the president in their ability to achieve a much needed economic turnaround in the country.

The minister, who arrived the ministry at exactly 9.27a.m., was ushered in with the familiar labour song, “Solidarity forever,” by leaders of the in-house labour union.
The unionists expressed their desire to cooperate with her while in the ministry.
Ahmed, who acknowledged their song, said, “We will work together.”
She was immediately escorted inside the building by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mahmud Isa-Dutse, and other directors.

At a meeting with staff shortly after, the minister told them that the country was currently undergoing a period of financial challenges.
She said, “I will work very well with you and especially the permanent secretary to ensure that we do all we can to ensure that President Buhari succeeds in his endeavours.”

Commending the staff for being core professionals, she said, “We know that you have been doing well but we will push ourselves to do more.”

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the permanent secretary had told the minister, “We have been operating as a team,” adding, “We are also ready to give the support to whoever comes as minister.”

He promised, “We will make sure that you succeed in the task that the president has assigned to you.”

Until the sudden resignation of the former finance minister over alleged certificate forgery, Ahmed was the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

She is a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), a member of the Nigerian Institute of Taxation and the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
Until she joined the federal cabinet in 2015, she was the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI).


-Thisday

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OBOREVWORI: How Not To Glorify A 'One Chance' Governor - By Zik Gbemre

It is appalling how, in desperation to sustain its thieving hegemony over the Delta State Government since 1999, the Delta PDP had the audacity to impose the weakest, most uninformed contender, a local champion, as Governor over a state replete with accomplished men and women of immense capacity. Given this unenviable privilege, one would have expected the fortunate placeholder governor, Sheriff Oborevwori—whose only election campaign manifesto was pledging to improve on the failed leadership of Ifeanyi Okowa, his predecessor—to engage creative minds and individuals of proven integrity to assist him in making a difference. Rather than doing the needful, Oborevwori has worsened matters by electing to engage the same spent leaders, deadwood, and gluttons that have gained prominence in running the state down over successive administrations. The result has been a government of mediocre officeholders competing to run the state for their pockets at the detriment of the populace, under a gove...
Post a Comment
Read more

EDO GUBER ELECTION: Omo-Agege, Faith Majemite, Others Appointed Into APC National Campaign Council

Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) unveiled a 197-member council on Wednesday to lead its campaign. According to the list released by APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has been appointed as the chairman of the campaign council. Governor Otu will be supported by Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda as co-chairman and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole as deputy chairman. Other members of the 197-member team include Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who will serve as Assistant Secretary; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Hon. Faith Majemite; and other governors elected on the APC platform. The recently reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, who recently defecte...
Post a Comment
Read more

THE ENDURING LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP: Chief James Ibori Celebrated for His Impact on Delta State

On Friday, May 31st, during the funeral service for the Late Asagba of Asaba, the essence of true leadership was vividly displayed. The service featured the introduction of various dignitaries, including Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation who represented President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. As each dignitary was introduced, the church remained silent. However, the atmosphere dramatically changed when the name of Former Governor James Ibori was announced; the congregation erupted in wide jubilation and applause. This reaction was so profound that even Senator George Akume and Governor Obaseki could not hide their astonishment. The enthusiastic reception for Chief James Ibori during this solemn occasion highlighted his enduring legacy among the people of Delta State. Despite having left office seventeen years ago, he continues to be celebrated whenever he attends public functions i...
Post a Comment
Read more