Buhari inaugurates Agenda 2050 steering committee
The federal government has inaugurated the National Steering Committee for the development of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP).
President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the committee on Wednesday, September 9 at the Executive Council chamber of the State House.
Buhari explained that the new programmes would succeed the Vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017 – 2020, respectively.
Daily Times gathered that the committee is co-chaired by the Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Atedo Peterside, and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed.
The committee drew membership from diverse interest background, including representatives of opposition political parties, private sector, women and youth bodies as well as people with special needs.
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Other members of the National Steering Committee the ALGON, captains of industry, Labour organizations, farmers’ associations, traditional and religious leaders and members of the press.
Buhari noted that government is working towards lifting a hundred Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years. He said this had become necessary considering the World Bank projection that Nigeria would become the third most populous country with around 400 million citizens by the year 2050.
”The main objectives of these Successor Plans are to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next 10 years, particularly given the World Bank’s projection that Nigeria will become the world’s third most populous country by 2050 with over 400 million people”, he said
”It is my expectation that the Steering Committee will oversee the execution of key deliverables, including recommending measures to ensure the continuous implementation of the Plans even after the expiration of the tenure of successive Administrations – including legislation, if required.
”Such legislation may introduce much-needed rigor and discipline to the nation’s development planning as well as institutionalise planned outcomes for the future. I trust that our partners in the National Assembly will support us in exploring these reforms, ” he said.
On the other hand, he said Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 was an articulation of the long-term intent to launch Nigeria onto a path of sustained socio-economic development.
”The ERGP shared this vision, which ensured that the country exited recession in 2017 and sustained growth in Gross Domestic Product until the recent global economic challenges occasioned by COVID-19.
”Over the decades, successive planning and visioning exercises have guided investment in human capital development, the implementation of our infrastructural roadmap, and supported social investment in our people’s lives and livelihoods, ” he said.
He wished the committee success in its assignment, adding that he looked forward to receiving regular reports of deliberations.
