Jonathan, who is expected to dissolve his cabinet any moment from now, gave the assurance at a pre-inaugural dinner with Corporate Nigerians in Lagos on Tuesday.
“We need to select people, who can think to run the affairs of the government,” he said, adding that he had the political will to do what was right in transforming and moving Nigeria forward.
“Even when it leads to any cost, I will not hesitate to do what is right. Government must protect what is right,” the President said.
The President’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has already compiled a list containing 270 names as nominees for ministerial appointments and occupants of other public offices.
The list has however drawn varied comments since it hit public domain on Tuesday.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, had reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to partner with the private sector.
In his remarks, the Chairman of IBTC Stanbic Bank, Chief Atedo Peterside, said that the mandate given to the President at the presidential polls transcended his party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
He said that Nigerians voted for him because they believed that he was the only one among all the presidential candidates for the April 16 that could do so.
Peterside’s counterpart in MTN, Chief Paschal Dozie, said the dinner and the earlier interactive session with the business community were practical demonstration of Jonathan’s sincerity of purpose.
He said that with the positive economic road map laid down by the President, Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the 20 most developed economies by the year 2020 was achievable.
Dozie commended the government for liberalising the telecommunications industry, noting that the sector was now contributing seven per cent to the Gross Domestic Product.
The Wakilin Adamawa, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, assured the President of the commitment of the private sector to work with him to transform Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Progressive Peoples Alliance has advised Jonathan to invite all political parties willing to work with him to form the new cabinet.
The party said in a statement on Wednesday by its National Chairman , Chief Sam Nkire, that the President needed the support of other political parties to succeed.
“The only way President Jonathan can keep his promise of forming a government of national unity is by inviting other political parties to work with him,” it said.
It argued that since it was not only PDP members that voted for Jonathan, “not inviting other parties, especially those that worked for his success would amount to alienating the larger society.’’
The PPA said it would be a good idea for Jonathan to adopt an improved job description and target for the next set of ministers in order to enhance performance.
It also disagreed with those calling for fewer number of ministers, saying that a government of national unity must strive to unite the country through optimum performance.
In Abuja, Hotel Owners Forum, said that its members had started collaborating with security agencies to train their staff in preparation for the May 29 Presidential inauguration.
The President of the forum, Mr. Onofiok Ekong, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, that the collaboration was aimed at safeguarding lives during the inauguration.
Ekong said that the forum was working with security agencies such as the police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps .
He added, “If you stay in any of our hotels with proper identification, you are guaranteed security because we have friendly relationship with the police and other security agencies.
“We have an extra advantage that non-members do not have, so once you stay with us, you have peace of mind.’’
The Deputy President, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, Mr. Tomi Akingbogun, also told NAN that most hotel owners in the Federal Capital Territory had been training their staff on security.
He said, “There are few gadgets put in place for detection of criminals and we are training them on how to respond if they see suspicious people or things around.
“The State Security Service has also distributed pamphlets to the hotels to warn the public. So everybody is supposed to watch out because anyone can be a victim.’’
By Agency Reporter Courtesy Of: Punch
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