Mr Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, says he has no excuse not to discharge his duties as assigned to him by President Bola Tinubu.

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 trust 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 team work 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 team work 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 ground breaking 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.

The President, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worldwide, Pastor Samuel Oladele, has appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu, for there’s hope of positive achievement for Nigerians in his administration.

Oladele made the statement while addressing the press at the 2023 CAC Pastors’ Conference (Retreat, Refresh and Refire), at the CAC Babalola Memorial International Miracle Camp, on Wednesday, at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun.

He said that the present economic downturn across the country requires that citizens would endure and persevere for a while, for there’s hope in the end.

“I observed that our president is a serious leader, and with the steps he has taken within a few months in office, things are changing drastically, though, gradually.

“If we can exercise patient with him, I believe that within his first four years, Nigeria would surely get to the promised land,” Oladele explained.

According to him, “if he’s not sabotaged while he is truly trying to resuscitate the economy, Nigeria will soon emerge strong and become a pride for all and sundry.”

Oladele admitted that now is the hardship period and called on Nigerians to support the present administration.
“Let all hands be on deck for the overall good of the country,” he said.

To all and sundry, especially political leaders, he admonished them to retrace their steps and return to God for Him to rescue the nation from impending calamities.

The CAC President urged the Federal Government to do the needful in making life bearable for the masses, saying that it’s too difficult for most people to survive the prevailing harsh conditions in the country.

“The country has a glorious end in sight; if the people can pray and live righteously, the current economic hardship in the country will soon end.

“The security of the country should be paramount in the mind of our President, while education must also be given priority attention,” he urged.

Oladele maintained that the security apparatus should be rejigged and more security personnel recruited to tackle the challenge of insecurity in the country.

He tasked the security personnel to redouble their efforts in the fight against insecurity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 12,000 pastors attended the Conference.