The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Zaphaniah Jisalo, has said he owes President Bola Tinubu a duty to perform and therefore he has no excuse not to discharge his duties.
Jisalo said this during his second familiarisation visit to the Management and Staff of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.
The visit was the second familiarisation tour by the minister to the agencies under his ministry.
Interacting with members of staff of the agency, the minister explained that his visit was in line with the policy thrust of the president to achieve his 8-points agenda which include job creation.
Jisalo urged the agency to key into the president’s agenda through its capacity as a revenue generating agency.
He added that this could only be achieved through teamwork by the agencies under his ministry.
“Our visit is in line with the policy trust of President Tinubu, with his 8-points agenda, the agenda which includes job creation and I want teamwork of the agencies under the ministry to achieve this.
“I owe him a duty and I have no excuse not to perform, I will do my best to give Nigerians what they deserve and I urge the NLTF’s management and its staff to key into this agenda.
“My hope is that in the next one year, my ministry will emerge first when he comes for evaluation,” the minister said.
Earlier, Dr Bello Maigari, Executive Secretary NLTF, expressed delight over the visit by the minister, saying it was groundbreaking as it had never happened since the agency’s establishment in 2005.
“As far as I can recall, the trust fund has never had an honourable minister visiting the agency officially until now.
“We are indeed honoured and grateful for the opportunity to rob minds and extend valuable conversations beyond the usual meetings in the ministry,” he said.
Maigari expressed hope that the minister’s visit would usher a new era of cooperation and understanding to build a strong commitment to deliver on the aspirations of Nigerians through the lottery industry.
He listed some of the major achievements by the agency to include: provision of healthcare facilities/potable water supplies across the six-geopolitical zones, intervention to support government’s efforts to respond decisively to COVID-19 pandemic among others.
“I am pleased to inform the minister that our commitment to implement projects in this vital sector has helped to strengthen our fragile healthcare delivery systems across the six-geopolitical zones,” he said.
Maigari however highlighted some of the challenges faced by the agency including lack of befitting office accommodation.
In her contribution, Mrs Ibiene Roberts, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the visit was not for formality but a genuine effort to strengthen the bonds between the ministry and NLTF.
“Let us use this time wisely, sharing knowledge, building connections and laying the foundation for a more productive and collaborative future,” she said.