Nigeria’s Former Minster of Works Adeseye Ogunlewe says regardless of the concerns of most Nigerians on the appointment of Abubakar Momoh as the minister of youth due to his age, it is a step in the right direction.
Ogunlewe, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, said Momoh is the best man for the job, emphasizing that the position is all about leadership and mentorship.
He said “Momoh is the best man for the job. It is leadership we are talking about. To at least mentor the youth, Can the youth mentor themselves? What and who are they going to be looking up to? You have to look up to a leader that would be your role model and that is Mr. Momoh for you.
“The youth should cultivate the habit of learning. They should be in a hurry to learn and they eventually get there.
“It’s not for you to get rid of all the elders. When there is problem, who are you going to talk to?”
He also said there is need for the president to reel out the responsibilities of each ministry for each minister to understand what is expected of him/her.
Ogunlewe also stated that all the ministries are at the mercy of the national assembly in terms of budget appropriation and therefore called on the national assembly to help the ministers be their best in their various ministries.
“This is just the first stage. The appointment of ministers. Another stage is assignment of ministerial responsibility. It is incumbent on Mr. president to list out exhaustively the responsibilities of each minister to understand what is expected of him/her.
“The next stage is the national assembly which is a bit albatross on the nation Budget appropriation, it is not the minister that would do the appropriation. It the national assembly and ministry of budget and national planning
So, if you are even a genius as a minister, you are still at the mercy of the national assembly.”
He also said so much is to be expected from Dele Alake who was just appointed the minister of solid minerals, re-emphasizing that age has nothing to do with delivery.
“You will be surprised what Dele Alake will bring to the table. Age is not a determinant factor anymore, but determination isI know Dele Alake likes challenges. Let us wait another one year and see what he is going to doThe more you criticize a person, the more he is getting ready to disappoint you” he said.
Chioma Kalu
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