‘All Will Be Well, We Are On A Threshold Of A New Dawn’ – Edun Speaks On Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has declared that the Nigerian economy is on the right path with the reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Monday while welcoming the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who just assumed office at the Ministry, in Abuja, Edun said the economy is now at a new dawn in terms of the ability to attract investments.

The Minister also commended President Tinubu for implementing the fuel subsidy and foreign exchange rate floating policies, which several past leaders had shied away from from.

According to him, the reforms are already showing signs of success and all hands must be on deck to ensure the reforms are completed for the good of the economy.

According to the Minister, “All will be well as we go forward together to help complete the on-going economic reforms which are showing sustainability and signs of success.

“We do have for the first time in decades, the foreign exchange rate that is market-based. We do have market pricing of petroleum products. Those are the two fundamental reforms that were necessary and long over-due that Mr. President had the courage and boldness and dexterity socially and politically to implement and the determination to keep them implemented.

“So we stand on a threshold of a new dawn in terms of the ability of the economy to attract investment thereby increasing productivity, growing the GDP, creating jobs and reducing poverty.”

Edun also expressed happiness on the deployment of Dr. Uzoka-Anite to the ministry as Minister of State, noting that he is convinced of her abilities and passion.

“They are excited at this opportunity to have a woman of elegance, substance, refinement and diligence and with a known passion for hard-work. So we thank Mr. President on behalf of the ministry for giving us the Minister of State. I thank him for giving me a helper.

“I assure you of every support, encouragement and cooperation and let you know we want you to be free to express yourself, contribute and excel. As the Permanent Secretary of finance has said, we are all one family.

“As President Bola Tinubu has always encouraged us, it’s all about consultation, cooperation, collaboration and team work. That is the basis of our efforts here together. And we are sure that you fit in smoothly. You will be like a duck going to the water,” the Minister said.

On her part, Dr. Uzoka-Anite, who was formerly the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said she was initially apprehensive about the new posting, but she’s fully ready to help in the huge task of building Nigeria’s economy.

She said, “It’s a big privilege for me to be here to contribute to the development of Nigeria in this particular crucial sector-the finance sector. I just want to say that I am here to complement the efforts and the jobs that CME has been doing.

“It has been a challenging one year for you CME, especially since May 29 (2023) when the President took over and made that pronouncement. That was when that responsibility fell on your shoulders to guide and steer this economy towards economic stability and prosperity and also to make sure that the president’s vision and mandate to his people, especially during his campaign manifesto is materialized.

“It’s a no small task that you have been given and coming to work with you, to be honest, I am a bit apprehensive. I know the amount of work and the pressure that you are under but again it is a privilege.

“I can only promise you sir, I am here to work with you, to support you, to complement your efforts to ensure that we achieve the mandate of his Excellency Mr. President and to uphold the honour and dignity of all Nigerians through your hard work.

“I am happy to be a part of your family and again to complement whatever everybody has been doing and I also look forward to more cooperation, collaboration, team and everything that will make us successful because when we succeed, Nigeria succeeds.”