By Marvellous Nyang
9 September 2023
A former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for setting the right tone for achieving governmental objectives in his first 100 days in office amid a myriad of national challenges.
“Just to start on a very charitable note, I think the President has set a high tone, many people have made reference to this. The President told the governors, look, during the campaigns and elections, he said, sorry, we danced and did sorts of things and told the people we are going to deliver. So, he understands what is at stake and you also have to give it to him that he has a heart to leave a legacy,” Akande said.
Akande, who is a prominent political analyst, spoke during a current affairs programme while being interviewed on Channels Television noting that the President has been emphasising on sound policies for Nigeria, and while recognizing the positive direction set by the administration, he stressed the vital need for effective coordination to translate these policies into action and achieve the President’s vision for the nation.
The veteran journalist underscored the significance of paying close attention to key ministries, with a particular focus on the humanitarian sectors as he emphasized the critical role of well-managed and efficiently run ministries in addressing the pressing needs of the Nigerian people.
He also suggested the implementation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and timelines for ministers to monitor their progress and ensure accountability in delivering on these important policies.
“President Tinubu has started on a good note by implementing sound policies that will undoubtedly benefit Nigeria,” Akande stated. contending that, his administration must organize itself effectively to ensure the successful implementation of these policies by “paying close attention to ministries like humanitarian, where immediate action is necessary.”
While acknowledging the challenges associated with forming a capable and efficient cabinet, Akande expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to navigate this task with careful planning and selection.
According to him “putting together a capable and efficient cabinet is not an easy task.” However, he said it is definitely achievable with the right approach and selection process, saying, “We must admit that indeed it is very difficult putting together a cabinet, especially for a consummate politician with the pedigree of the President, but I think this is one of the areas I expected a lot more in being decisive that this is what I’m going to go ahead with, I don’t have all the time in the world, I only have four years, there are serious problems that are very urgent and I need to go at a faster pace. I think it is possible, it is not an impossible thing to do, that is the first point.
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“Second point, there is hardship in the land, some of them are not unexpected. The President himself understood the import of the hardship as he made a national broadcast to show that he knew what was happening and that is the reason the level of urgency has to be more critical. Two things are President needs to do, my views now, the President needs to first of all understand that if there is not an effective coordination of all the good things that he has spoken of, that would be the end of important things that you want to do. And two offices are important for that, the offices of the Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Akande said.
However, the statement by Akande has gained significant attention within various political circles and has forced many to echo his assessment of the current situation, premising their call on the need for improved organization and efficiency within the administration to strongly resonate with Nigerians who are eager to witness tangible progress in the implementation of policies addressing critical issues such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and security.
Similarly, the focus on key ministries and the proposed introduction of KPIs for ministers is seen as a potentially instrumental step towards achieving the desired goals and delivering on the promises made to the Nigerian people.
In essence, President Tinubu’s commitment to good governance and transformative change, it is believed will continue to be a focal point of discussion and optimism among Nigerians to drive home their desired future for Nigeria.
