Edun Assures Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Pains Will Soon Fade Away

Minister of Finance and Coor­dinating Minister of the Econ­omy, Wale Edun, resumed at the ministry’s headquarters on Monday, declaring that current reforms pains will fade away soon.

He said Nigerians expect optimum performance from current crop of government’s team, an opportunity, he said, won’t be gambled away.

Edun, who arrived the min­istry at 1:58p.m, was welcomed by jubilant ministry’s employ­ees with solidarity songs.

He immediately went into a closed door session with the two permanent secretaries and few senior officials of the ministry.

In another elaborate session which had directors of the min­istry in attendance, the former Lagos State Commissioner of Finance underscored Nigeri­an’s high expectations of the current administration, an ex­pectation he said must not be toyed with.

“I have been to this ministry before now on many occasions on special assignments. The former Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, did a good work. We will consolidate on what she did and we will take it to a greater height.

“We need to deliver, we need to perform. Nigerians’ expecta­tions are high. Mr. President has set the ball rolling.

“He has taken some macro, fiscal and monetary measures that will leave Nigeria for the better. It’s our duty to help him to ensure the pains are mini­mised. We know we have a job to do to making sure the reforms don’t leave anybody behind”, he said.

He solicited the cooperation of ministry’s directors and other personnel in achieving desired result.

“We can do it, let’s work to­gether to ensure we achieve our dream”, said the minister.

In his introductory remark earlier, Permanent Secre­tary (Special Duties), Mr. Udo Okokon Ekanem, recalled some of the good antecedents of the minister as Commissioner of Finance in Lagos State and ex­pressed optimism he will leave such imprint at the federal level.

“Congratulations on your ap­pointment and redeployment to the Ministry of Finance. Here, we have committed and dedi­cated staff that are willing and ready to work. We have heard a lot about you, your good work in Lagos. Staff here are receptive. We are ready to work with you”.

Permanent Secretary (Fi­nance), Mallam Aliyu Ahmed, said the minister was in a fa­miliar terrain having manned similar portfolios in Lagos and outside of Nigeria where he had tremendous work exposures.