The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s reforms in the foreign exchange and oil and gas sectors are irreversible.
Edun conveyed this message during a meeting with the newly appointed Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka Anite, at the Ministry’s headquarters on Monday.
Edun said, “Nigeria now has a foreign exchange rate that is market-based and also a deregulated oil market pricing, which are two reforms that have been long overdue for many decades, which President Tinubu is currently implementing.
“Therefore as co-ordinating minister of economy, we stand on a threshold of a new dawn to implement these reforms and increase productivity, create jobs and reduce poverty and we are glad to have a minister of state that will help in actualizing the President’s reforms.”
Edun also expressed happiness on the deployment of Dr. Uzoka-Anite to the ministry as Minister of State, noting that he is convinced of her abilities and passion.
“They are excited at this opportunity to have a woman of elegance, substance, refinement and diligence and with a known passion for hard-work. So we thank Mr. President on behalf of the ministry for giving us the Minister of State. I thank him for giving me a helper.
“I assure you of every support, encouragement and cooperation and let you know we want you to be free to express yourself, contribute and excel. As the Permanent Secretary of finance has said, we are all one family.
“As President Bola Tinubu has always encouraged us, it’s all about consultation, cooperation, collaboration and teamwork. That is the basis of our efforts here together. And we are sure that you fit in smoothly. You will be like a duck going to the water,” the Minister said.
On her part, Dr. Uzoka-Anite, who was formerly the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said she was initially apprehensive about the new posting. Still, she’s fully ready to help in the huge task of building Nigeria’s economy.
She said, “It’s a big privilege for me to be here to contribute to the development of Nigeria in this particular crucial sector-the finance sector. I just want to say that I am here to complement the efforts and the jobs that CME has been doing.
“It has been a challenging one year for you CME, especially since May 29 (2023) when the President took over and made that pronouncement. That was when that responsibility fell on your shoulders to guide and steer this economy towards economic stability and prosperity and also to make sure that the president’s vision and mandate to his people, especially during his campaign manifesto is materialized.
“It’s a no small task that you have been given and coming to work with you, to be honest, I am a bit apprehensive. I know the amount of work and the pressure that you are under but again it is a privilege.
“I can only promise you sir, I am here to work with you, to support you, to complement your efforts to ensure that we achieve the mandate of his Excellency Mr. President and to uphold the honour and dignity of all Nigerians through your hard work.
“I am happy to be a part of your family and again to complement whatever everybody has been doing and I also look forward to more cooperation, collaboration, team and everything that will make us successful because when we succeed, Nigeria succeeds.”
