By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The out-going Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mr Ernest Umakhihe has handed the mantle of leadership to Mrs Olusola Olayinka Idowu, urging her to take the Ministry to a higher pedestal of achieving its vision and mandate for national cohesion and sustainable development.
Mr. Umakhikhe gave this charge to his colleague and successor during the hand-over ceremony which held recently at the Ministry in Abuja.
The out-going Permanent Secretary expressed his sincere gratitude to the Management and staff of the Ministry for their support during his short stay.
He added that although the Ministry of Budget and National Planning is a difficult terrain in terms of human resources, he was lucky to have been surrounded with a crop of proactive and formidable team who were ever ready to craft policies and programmes for national growth and development of the nation.
While acknowledging that his journey at the Ministry though short lived, has been so good, he stated that work is still in progress to take the Ministry to its desired height.
He therefore enjoined the incoming Permanent Secretary to ensure the successful mainstreaming of the staff of the ministry so as to enable them become pool staff of the civil service
The incoming Permanent Secretary, Mrs Idowu pledged her readiness to work for the growth of the country’s economy and said she would strive in every way to fulfil her duties to the best of her abilities. While acknowledging the the excellent work of outgoing Permanent Secretary, she added that he has become a role model whose contributions is an honour to continue with.
“I will continue to build on what he has done, at the same time, the achievements have posed high expectations and goals for my tenure and I will rely on the lord to help me” she assured.
Mrs Idowu stated that Budget and National Planning entity has recorded significant successes by improving the socio economic indices of Nigeria as a result of the purposeful leadership of Mr President, the Honourable Ministers and collaboration with a number of other stakeholders which inlude states and non-state actors.
She finally solicits the support of the entire management and staff in extending the same kind dedication extended towards her predecessor to her, to enable her actualize the set goals and mandate of the Ministry.
Earlier, a Valedictory Session, organised by the Staff Union was held at the Ministry’s Conference hall in honour of the out- going Permanent Secretary.
