This is a delicate period to govern Nigeria – Shettima

In view of the prevailing situation in the country, Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said this is a delicate period to be in public office in Nigeria.

This is just as he called on governors to put together policies that will assist in alleviating the suffering of the people.

He spoke at the 140th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held virtually on Thursday.

Shettima, who is the chairman of the Council, declared the resolve of the present administration to leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for Nigerians.

He assured that the administration would not rest on its oars until the citizens begin to bask in the opportunities they were promised, noting that it is the reason why the government is prioritizing skill acquisition and job creation.

Shettima specifically tasked Governors that prioritizing whatever offers Nigerians a means to earn a living with dignity are part of President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda.

He told the Governors that, “we must remain consistent in implementing the initiatives that alleviate the suffering of our citizens and be accountable in doing so. We must also ensure that interventions we deploy are non-discriminatory and favour all stakeholders, with no part of our communities or nation left lagging.

“When we empower entrepreneurs and small business owners, we unlock the potential for innovation, job creation, and economic growth. By providing access to financing, training, and mentorship programs, we unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that lies within every Nigerian, catalysing a wave of economic prosperity that benefits us all. We cannot achieve this without inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities. This is the ladder we must offer to every disadvantaged citizen”.

The VP noted that the government has “moved beyond mere deliberations to the implementation phase” and it is actively pursuing its “short-term goals en route to achieving our medium-term and long-term strategies.

The Vice President observed however that despite the interventions made so far to prevent natural disasters, “to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, to alleviate the short-term inflationary impacts of our economic-saving decisions, to mitigate environmental damage, and to curb revenue loss”, the efforts would be useless to the citizens unless “job creation and skill development at every corner of the nation” are prioritised.

Noting that it is not the best of times to be in office, Shettima implored the governors and other council members to remain constant in executing initiatives that will help wriggle the citizens out of their present condition.

“This is a delicate period to occupy offices like ours. We cannot remind ourselves enough that we have come at a time that tests the depth of our leadership and demands our most rational wisdom to make a difference.

In his presentation on the i-DICE programme, the Executive Director in charge of SMES at the Bank of Industry, Mr Shekarau Omar, said the i-DICE programme, a special intervention by government, aimed at delivering on the promise by the Tinubu administration to create millions of jobs in the technology space.

Mr Omar explained that the programme is in support of government’s agenda to create more sustainable jobs, diversify the economy and equip digital and creative incubation hubs/innovation centers across the country.