Buhari Reveals Plans To Reduce Ministries

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday confirmed that his administration seeks to reduce the number of ministries in the country.

 

President Buhari

Reports were that the President’s Transition committee, led by Ahmed Joda, suggested the reduction in the number of ministries.

The Punch reported that President Buhari confirmed this plan at a meeting he had with members of the Nigerian community in Benin Republic on Saturday evening while responding to a request for the creation of two more Nigerian consulates in Benin Republic.

Buhari however confirmed that, he would direct the Nigerian ambassador to make the request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his words, he said: “I think I will direct your ambassador to make the request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that by the time we are doing the next budget, it would be included. Although we are trying to cut down on the number of ministries, the morale of Nigerians in the Diaspora must be considered. This is because we are so many. We are aggressive whether in business or other facets of life. So, we, as a government, will do everything possible to look after Nigerians wherever they are.”

In the President’s reply to members of the community who requested to know what his administration was doing to facilitate their return home, he told them to remain where they were, “I believe a lot of you are doing well and are better of here. So, the question of facilitating you to come home does not arise. We don’t want you to come back home and be unemployed. Don’t come and add to our problems. If you have something doing here please, continue doing it.”

The President advised that Nigerian citizens in Benin remain law-abiding and portray the name of the nation in good light unlike the case with some Nigerians living in South Africa who are serving jail terms for erroneous crimes. “I have always told the Nigerian communities to respect their hosts’ culture and obey their laws.

While driving his point home, the President said: “There are a number of problems in South Africa which did not portray us in good light as Nigerians. Some of them are in prison for committing a number of crimes. But for you who are so close home, you should do your best in being good ambassadors of the country.”

President has asked those requesting for the opening of National Open University in Benin, to table their request through the ambassador who will formally write the Ministry of Education. The possibility of an expansion of the facility to them would be considered.