Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the new Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Development, has urged the directors of the ministry to key into the change agenda of the Buhari administration.
Mohammed gave the charge on Wednesday while addressing the directors and other management staff of the ministry in Abuja.
“Our business is to ensure that every day, we put in our best because if you take care of small things, big things must take care of themselves.
“ You must see yourselves as very vital part of the valid change of this administration.
“Because no matter what this administration does, until and when it is out there in the public domain, you have done nothing. So, you have a very big challenge.
“We are not just spokespersons for the government, (but) we must also see ourselves as change agents for this government.
“We must see ourselves as people that will drive that change.
“We must see ourselves everywhere and every time what we do as representing this government.’’
The new minister expressed the conviction that with the cooperation of all, the ministry would make a difference.
“We must put smile back on the faces of Nigerians. We must put back hope on the faces of Nigerians.
“I am quite encouraged by the dedication and patriotism of the President because this is the president that has no single agenda apart from Nigeria.
“And I believe that if we all work together, we will help him to achieve that change mantra.’’
According to him, the civil service is not a place for politicking, adding that civil servants are the engine room of government.
“It does not bother you whether one person is APC or PDP. No, what concerns you is how to make this country a better place because we are all privileged to be where we are today,’’ he said.
Mohammed, who urged directors to contribute to the growth and well-being of the country, said he would soon meet with individual heads of departments for briefing.
Earlier, the Outgoing Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, assured the minister that the management staff of the ministry would give him the needed support.
“The culture here is that we work with open heart and most of the directors that you have here are very hardworking.
“ I can assure you that they will give you all the support that you need to make your tenure here, in the Federal Ministry of Information, is very successful one.’’ (NAN)
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