Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South senatorial district, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s recent cabinet changes and called for further action to improve the performance of government ministers. In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Ndume specifically highlighted the creation of the Ministry of Regional Development as a positive move but noted that some ministers still need to be more active in their roles.
“More needs to be done as some ministers are still ‘missing in action,’” Ndume said, suggesting that additional changes might be necessary to ensure more effective governance.
The senator commended the President’s efforts to reduce the costs of governance, particularly in response to current economic challenges. Ndume stated, “We saw President Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle last week, which was a masterstroke. I’m particularly pleased about establishing the Ministry of Regional Development to oversee regional commissions. The President’s decision to streamline ministries also exemplifies his commitment to reducing the cost of governance.”
Ndume also praised Tinubu’s de-dollarisation policy, describing it as a step in the right direction. He believes the policy will strengthen the naira and enhance trade with countries that do not rely on the U.S. dollar. “That policy announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration must be commended. If fully implemented, it will drastically reduce the pressure on the naira, enabling international traders importing goods from countries like China to rely less on the dollar,” he emphasized.
De-dollarisation involves reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar for international trade and financial transactions. Ndume suggested that Nigeria could benefit from this approach and encouraged the President to explore further opportunities, such as positioning Nigeria to join the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
He added, “This policy will also significantly strengthen the naira, benefiting the country in numerous ways.”
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In addition to policy recommendations, Ndume urged President Tinubu to convene a National Economic Conference. He suggested that this summit should include contributions from prominent Nigerian economists, such as Okonjo Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Akinwumi Adesina, and others. The aim would be to develop local solutions tailored to Nigeria’s economic challenges, independent of the recommendations from international institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
“This economic summit should be spearheaded by these eminent Nigerians, who can offer recommendations independent of the IMF and World Bank’s often stringent policies. I believe that with sound recommendations, President Tinubu will implement them, which would greatly benefit the country,” Ndume stated.
Ndume also commended the President for bolstering the Air Force with the acquisition of new military aircraft and helicopters. He believes these will provide crucial support to troops fighting insurgents and terrorists, particularly in the northeastern region affected by Boko Haram activities. He called for further investment in military equipment and personnel.
“I commend the President for approving military plane purchases to support the ongoing fight against insurgents. I urge us to acquire more attack helicopters for this battle,” he remarked. “Additionally, we need to recruit, train, equip, and motivate more troops across the Armed Forces and other security agencies.”