FG seeks support of Nigerians on economic recovery
By Joy Obakeye
The Federal Government of Nigeria has canvassed the support and understanding of all and sundry to obtain the nation’s economy out of the doldrums.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),Dr George Akume,who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Dr Dapo Oyedemi, made the call at the Nigerian Institute of Management Chartered (NIM) 2023 Annual National Management Conference recently, in Lagos, tagged, “Managing Nigeria’s Path to Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity: The Challenges before the New National Leadership.”
The SGF noted that the theme was apt and relevant towards charting a new course and national rebirth for the country in line with the eight-point agenda of the federal government.
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu unveiled an eight-point agenda to turn around the economy and make life comfortable for all Nigerians.
These include food security; ending poverty; economic growth and job creation; access to capital; improving security; improving the playing field on which people and particularly companies operate; rule of law; and fighting corruption.
Akume said concerted efforts were being made by the Federal Government in all critical sectors to get the economy up and running and deliver the dividends of democracy.
“By the theme of this year’s conference, the Institute has further demonstrated that it is committed to supporting the Federal Government in achieving its drive to reposition and turn around the nation’s economy.
“I can boldly tell this gathering of professional managers that the Bola Tinubu-led administration is in a haste to make a mark and will not disappoint in this daunting, but surmountable task.
“While we plead for more time to implement our eight-point agenda, we equally solicit the support and understanding of all and sundry to get the economy out of the doldrums,” he said.
Akume urged the NIM to improve its visibility at public sessions of the National Assembly to make more robust professional management input that would be most relevant in the public domain.
“To truly set Nigeria on the path of greatness and prosperity, good leadership built on enduring democratic principles must be on the front burner and our collective consciousness always.
“I, therefore, call on the Institute to ensure that the code of conduct becomes a culture for all Nigerians through their interaction and collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other relevant agencies that will support this cause.
“If all Nigerians align themselves with the Institute’s code of conduct, Nigeria shall become an enviable nation,” he said.
In her remarks, Dr. Christiana Atako, President, of NIM, noted that President Bola Tinubu, inherited a fractured and weak economy when they took over the reins of leadership in May this year.
Atako commended the present administration’s efforts to take on the numerous problems head-on and find lasting solutions to revive and revamp the nation’s economy.
She noted that the unveiling of his administration’s eight-point agenda showed that the administration had commenced work.
Atako, however, noted that the government’s decisions on fuel subsidy and to float the Naira which came with some pains required measures to mitigate the effects of the decision on the most vulnerable members of society.
“The Institute admonishes the Federal Government to continue working closely with labour and civil society organisations, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
“This is to ensure that meaningful remedial programmes are put in place to help the citizenry cope with the new economic realities.
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“In all, the administration should focus on implementing policies that will promote economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
“This could include diversification of the economy, getting the nation’s refineries up and running again, investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as well as measures to attract foreign investment and promote entrepreneurship.
“The Institute encourages Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government by supporting its good economic policies.
“Nigerians can overcome the effects of subsidy removal on their daily life through budgeting, increasing productivity, reducing consumption, embracing local goods, and seeking alternative transportation,” she said.
