Justify your appointments, Lai charges agencies’ new CEOs

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has charged the newly appointed Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of some agencies under the ministry to consider their appointments by Mr. President as a call to national service.

 According to a statement made available to Blueprint Weekend by the Special Assistant to the President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Segun Adeyemi, the minister, who gave the charge in Abuja at his maiden meeting with the CEOs, said they must work hard to justify their appointments.

 He specifically urged them to key into the 9-Point Agenda of the administration, identified to guide the policy directions over the next few years and to achieve national development.

 “You must consider your appointment by Mr. President as a call to national service, and you must work hard to justify it. A starting point is for you to ensure that the activities of your agencies key into the 9 priority areas of government.

“Of particular relevance to your various agencies, especially those in the culture and tourism sectors, are priorities 1, which is to build a thriving and sustainable economy, and 2, which is to enhance social inclusion and reduce poverty,” he said.

 Describing the new CEOs as round pegs in round holes, he said they were carefully selected based on their respective track record of achievements, competence and years of dedication to duty.

 The minister said the CEOs are joining a government that is doing so much with so little, especially at a time of dwindling resources due to the sharp fall in the price of oil and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economies.

 He said in spite of the challenges, the government has remained steadfast in carrying out massive infrastructural renewal in the areas of roads, bridges, rail and power, among others.

 Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre, Prof. Sunny Ododo, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointments and assured that he and his colleagues will consolidate on the gains so far recorded by the minister, and strive to make the creative industry an enviable component of the Nigerian economy.

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