The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Economic Council

  • Fed govt convenes NEC conference to drive inclusive growth, strengthen economic coordination

    Fed govt convenes NEC conference to drive inclusive growth, strengthen economic coordination

    The Federal Government will on Monday convene a two-day National Economic Council (NEC) Conference in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen economic coordination and accelerate inclusive growth across Nigeria’s 36 states.

    According to a statement issued on Sunday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the conference, scheduled for February 9 and 10, 2026, will hold at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, with Vice President Kashim Shettima presiding in his capacity as Chairman of the National Economic Council.

    Governors of the 36 states and other key national stakeholders are expected to attend the summit, which is being convened by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

    According to the organisers, the conference will provide a platform for federal and state actors to align priorities and deepen collaboration around Nigeria’s long-term development agenda under the Renewed Hope framework.

    The theme of the conference is: “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.”

    Officials said the summit is expected to produce far-reaching policy direction for states as they synchronise their programmes with the Federal Government’s national economic plan.

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    The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the NEC, Dr. Deborah Oko Odo, said the gathering would focus on pressing macroeconomic priorities.

    “The conference will focus on national economic issues aimed at encouraging economic growth and development across the country,” she said.

    She added that discussions will centre on fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation and shared development strategies between the Federal Government and state governments, with a view to improving policy consistency and accelerating development outcomes nationwide.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour.

    Other top government officials, development partners and private-sector leaders are also expected to participate, as the Federal Government continues to deepen reforms and strengthen partnerships for sustainable national growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • NEC moves to boost non-oil revenue, sets up panel on legacy projects

    NEC moves to boost non-oil revenue, sets up panel on legacy projects

    • Agriculture, services now drive nearly three-quarters of government revenue – Shettima

    The National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved to deepen engagement with stakeholders to boost non-oil revenues in line with the economic blueprint of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    This is just as the Chairman of the Council, Vice President Kashim Shettima, called for an accelerated transition from oil to a non-oil economy through competitive manufacturing, export diversification and private sector investment.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the Council also approved the constitution of a committee on the implementation of the President’s directive on the actualisation of legacy projects.

    The committee is to be chaired by the Governor of Cross River State, with one governor from each sub-region as members: North West (Sokoto), North East (Gombe), North Central (Niger), South East (Abia) and South West (Lagos).

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh, will serve as secretary to the committee, while the Ministers of Works and Transportation will also be members.

    NEC’s decisions were taken on Thursday during its 156th meeting and first of the year, held virtually, following a presentation on the economic priorities for 2026 by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

    READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students in 2026

    The presentation highlighted key reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration, including targeted programmes that have removed distortions in the system, stabilised the economy and placed Nigeria on the path of sustained recovery and prosperity.

    It also reflected the country’s current global recognition, which is reinforcing investor confidence in an economy projected to grow at 4.68 per cent in 2026.

    According to the minister, key priorities include maintaining Nigeria’s economic competitiveness through sound governance, improving the availability and affordability of food, ensuring human capital development with improved social protection, and the timely payment of debt service, salaries and pensions.

    In its resolution, NEC noted and commended the Federal Government’s plans to unlock rapid and sustained job-rich growth, high-quality jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities.

    The Council also resolved to dedicate a special session to address salient issues in the country’s food security efforts, particularly those affecting agricultural productivity.

    In his opening remarks, Vice President Shettima observed that while “global powers assert their interests with renewed confidence, commodity markets will remain volatile,” with oil prices, exchange rates and capital flows continuing to frustrate national policies.

    He noted that the current economic reality has reinforced the urgency of fiscal risk management and the need to reduce Nigeria’s economic and revenue exposure to oil.

    According to him, the non-oil economy has emerged as the backbone of Nigeria’s growth story, accounting for about 96 per cent of the country’s GDP and expanding at about four per cent.

    “Services, agriculture, and other non-oil sectors are increasingly carrying the weight of the economy. More importantly, non-oil revenues now contribute nearly three-quarters of total government collections.

    “This marks a significant, if gradual, departure from our historic dependence on volatile oil receipts. The task before us is to deepen this transition through competitive manufacturing, export diversification, and private sector investment,” he said.

    The Vice President, who chairs NEC, acknowledged that although it was the Council’s first meeting for 2026, the consequences of the choices made in the previous year demand coherence, courage and consistency in the New Year.

    “This moment in our journey calls for neither triumphalism nor despair. What it calls for is perspective. The Nigerian economy has travelled a difficult road over the past year, but it has not travelled it without progress,” he pointed out.

    Noting that the economy recorded significant growth in 2025, Senator Shettima attributed the performance to the visionary leadership of President Tinubu.

    “In 2025, our economy expanded by 3.9 per cent, the fastest rate of growth in over a decade. Quarter by quarter, this momentum was evident: growth strengthened from 3.13 per cent in the first quarter to 4.23 per cent in the second, before settling at 3.98 per cent in the third.

    “This is the outcome of hard decisions taken in difficult circumstances, and this is not a surprise with a visionary like His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leading the charge,” he said.

    He cautioned, however, that acceleration of growth must not be confused with adequacy, stressing that “a growth rate of 3.9 per cent, while encouraging, is not sufficient to decisively reduce poverty, generate jobs at the scale our population demands, or lift per capita incomes in a way that ordinary Nigerians can feel.

    “With population growth at about 2.6 per cent annually, this rate of expansion leaves us with little room to absorb inflationary pressures or external shocks. Our ambition, therefore, must be higher,” he added.

    As part of other deliberations, the Accountant-General of the Federation briefed the Council on account balances as at January 14, 2026, showing the Excess Crude Account at $535,823.39, the Stabilisation Account at N64.65 billion and the Natural Resources Account at N97.37 billion.

    Council was also briefed on the implementation of President Tinubu’s directives on the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highways.

    It was recalled that the President addressed NEC at its 150th meeting on July 31, 2025, underscoring the need to properly manage setbacks along the corridors to create investments and economic activities.

    The NEC Secretariat, interfacing with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was informed that the process had commenced and is being overseen by the SGF’s office, while the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation has been moved to the Presidency in compliance with the directive.

    On the new World Bank-Nigeria Country Partnership Framework, the World Bank Group outlined its support for Nigeria’s development goals, emphasising a shift to national programmes implemented at the state level and result-based financing to achieve impact at scale.

    The presentation highlighted the “First 2,000 days” agenda, focusing on early childhood development, stunting reduction and human capital investment, and set out actions for 2026, including the development of a national, state-driven Early Years programme and alignment of budgets with emerging priorities.

    Council lauded the proposed framework and resolved to work closely with the World Bank in implementing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, committing institutional support to the initiative.

    An update on Nigeria’s tax reform laws was also presented by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, outlining efforts to address inequity, fix a fragmented and regressive tax system, and promote shared prosperity.

    Council directed the committee to prepare a comprehensive brief for NEC’s conference in February to prepare sub-national governments for robust implementation and resolved to deepen engagement on the new tax regime.

  • NEC sets up committee to fast-track livestock development

    NEC sets up committee to fast-track livestock development

    • Enduring solution to farmer-herder crisis key to food security — Shettima

    The National Economic Council (NEC) has constituted a high-level committee on livestock development to accelerate the implementation of reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector and resolving the long-running farmer-herder crisis.

    The committee was set up during the 155th meeting of NEC, held virtually, as Vice President Kashim Shettima said only a practical, enduring and nationally accepted solution to the farmer-herder conflict would guarantee food security in the country.

    The Livestock Development Committee is made up of one representative from each of the six geo-political zones: Bauchi State for the North-East, Niger State for the North-Central, Ondo State for the South-West, Imo State for the South-East, Cross River State for the South-South, and Kebbi State for the North-West.

    The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, will chair the committee.

    Other members include the Ministers of Livestock Development; Agriculture and Food Security; Budget and Economic Planning; as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness in the Office of the Vice President.

    NEC directed the committee to work with relevant stakeholders to review the recommendations of the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee (PLRC) and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Livestock Development, as well as identify states willing to participate in the implementation of the programme.

    READ ALSO; Farouk Ahmed: A challenge for EFCC

    The move follows a directive by President Bola Tinubu at FEC meeting of December 10, 2025, mandating NEC to collaborate with the Ministry of Livestock Development to produce a clear roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry.

    The ministry subsequently developed a proposal presented to the council for endorsement, with the goal of repositioning the livestock sector as a modern, peaceful and profitable engine of national development.

    In his opening remarks, Vice President Shettima, who chairs NEC, said food security was a moral obligation to Nigerians but stressed that it could not be achieved without addressing the root causes of farmer-herder violence.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “we must acknowledge with absolute regret the deep distrust created by this violence, born out of a trade and an ancestral practice that ought to have remained a central pillar of our food security and rural economy.

    “The loss of lives, the destruction of homes, and the devastation of farmlands must end”, he said.

    According to him, mismanagement of long-standing tensions between farmers and herders had fuelled conflicts that have spread across the country.

    “What started as a challenge of coexistence gradually hardened into cycles of violence that were allowed to persist for far too long without a durable solution.

    “Today, that violence respects no geography. It has become a shared nightmare that has scarred every region, disrupted livelihoods, and eroded trust between neighbours who once relied on one another for survival,” the Vice President said.

    Shettima commended President Tinubu for what he described as a bold initiative to integrate livestock production into the national economy, noting that the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development underscored the administration’s commitment to the sector.

    He urged state governors to take the livestock development presentations by the ministry and the PLRC seriously, saying the sector offered major opportunities for economic transformation, conflict resolution and the restoration of peace in affected communities.

    “The presentations before us today offer critical insight into responses designed to confront these realities. They speak directly to stabilising our food systems, restoring confidence in rural economies, and reducing the security pressures that flow from competition over land, water, and livelihoods.

    “At their core, these presentations seek to dispel the false choice between agriculture and security by demonstrating that both are inseparable pillars of national stability,” Shettima added.

    He assured that the recommendations of the PLRC and the Ministry of Livestock Development would receive priority attention from the Tinubu administration, while calling on sub-national governments to support efforts to fully harness the vast potential of the livestock sector.

  • NEC targets reforms gain sustenance

    NEC targets reforms gain sustenance

    The National Economic Council (NEC)  has approved the Nigerian Medium-term National Development Plan 2026–2030, otherwise known as the Renewed Hope Economic Development Plan.

    The document is aimed at consolidating the ongoing reforms and advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s $1 trillion economic growth target.   It will succeed the current 2021–2025 framework, which expires in December.

    Budget and Economic Planning Minister  Abubakar  Bagudu explained to reporters after the 151st NEC meeting in Abuja yesterday that the Renewed Hope Plan is anchored on Nigeria’s 30-year Agenda 2050.

    The 30-year framework was developed in 2020 with broad input from the private sector, civil society, political parties, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders.

    The long-term agenda provides for six successive five-year plans, with the 2026–2030 framework being the second in the series.

    READ ALSO: Exemplary Olatunjis

    Bagudu said: “The council (NEC) approved the proposed new national development plan, the Renewed Hope 2026–2030, and urged effective participation by all states and stakeholders to guarantee inclusivity and accelerated growth.

    “The Renewed Hope Plan 2026–2030 will ensure policy continuity, consolidate ongoing reforms, and respond to emerging socioeconomic challenges. It will accelerate job creation, improve human capital, expand sustainable infrastructure, enhance food security, and strengthen social protection.” 

    The minister added that the plan will serve as a critical bridge between the current reform momentum of the Tinubu administration and the broader aspirations of Agenda 2050.

    Preparatory work is scheduled to commence on the 2026–2030 plan this month to allow President Tinubu to formally launch it and ensure federal, state, and local governments align their programmes with its objectives.

    According to Bagudu, the process of developing the plan will involve the three tiers of government, the private sector, civil society, labour, youth groups, and traditional rulers.

    To guide the process, three governance structures will be established: a national steering committee, a central working group, and technical working groups co-chaired by representatives of both the public and private sectors, with governors representing each of the six geopolitical zones.

    He said that NEC  drew on the contributions of members, including Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, who shared insights from his experience with previous development frameworks.

    The Council, he said, commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for initiating the process early enough to ensure timely delivery.

    Polio spread drops

    At the meeting, NEC also received updates on Nigeria’s fight against polio, with new data showing that reported cases have declined from 78 to 42 within months due to intensified immunisation efforts in high-risk states.

    Gombe State Governor Mohammed  Yahaya, who heads the NEC Committee on the Eradication of the Polio Virus, said that significant progress had been recorded, particularly in Kano and Katsina states, where cases have dropped by 85 per cent and 84 per cent respectively.

    Yahaya, however, expressed concern over Sokoto State, which accounts for 13 of the 23 cases recorded in 2025, making it the highest contributor.

    He explained that discussions had been held with the Sokoto State Government to intensify strategies for wider vaccination coverage.

    NEC  tasked the Accountant-General of the Federation with guaranteeing the efficient release of funds for primary healthcare delivery.

    Also, the Accountant General of the Federation. Shamseldeen  Ogunjimi revealed that the Excess Crude Account has been whittled down to just $535,823.39.

    He added that the Stabilisation Account holds N78.45 billion, while the Natural Resources Account stands at N106.72 billion.

  • EXPLAINER: What will the 2024 tax reforms do?

    EXPLAINER: What will the 2024 tax reforms do?

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on October 3, 2024, submitted four tax reform bills to the House of Representatives for consideration and quick passage.

    In a letter read at plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on Thursday, the President said the bills were designed in line with the objectives of his administration.

    The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal work for tax in the country and tax administration bill which will provide clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

    The National Economic Council (NEC) recommended the withdrawal of the Tax Reforms Bill from the National Assembly to President Bola Tinubu to allow for wider consultations.

    Tinubu, however, said there was no need to withdraw the bill and that the legislative process will move ahead.

    Here’s what the 2024 Tax Reform Bills are expected to do:

    The new tax reform bills are made up of four major components, each tackling a specific aspect of tax administration:

    1. Nigeria Tax Bill: This bill brings together various tax laws into a single, comprehensive document, simplifying the tax process for taxpayers. This simplification is especially beneficial for small businesses, which often find it challenging to navigate Nigeria’s intricate tax regulations.
    2. Tax Administration Bill: Designed to create a clear and efficient legal framework, this bill seeks to minimize disputes between taxpayers and the government. By enhancing tax enforcement and clarifying taxpayer responsibilities, it aims to encourage greater compliance and increase tax payments.
    3. Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Bill: This bill replaces the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), modernising the nation’s tax collection agency. The NRS will focus on efficient and transparent tax collection, leveraging modern technologies to enhance accountability.
    4. Joint Revenue Board Bill: This bill will create a Joint Revenue Board, incorporating a Tax Appeal Tribunal and a Tax Ombudsman to address disputes and complaints from taxpayers. This initiative represents a significant step toward ensuring fairness in tax administration and building trust between the government and the public.

    How does It affect Nigerians?

    These reforms will have a significant impact on both businesses and individual taxpayers in Nigeria.

    For Businesses: The streamlined tax system will simplify compliance for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By reducing the time spent on complex tax procedures, companies can concentrate more on growth and innovation.

    Read Also: BREAKING: NEC recommends withdrawal of tax reforms Bill from NASS

    For Individuals: Technology will streamline tax filing and payment processes, providing individuals with clearer guidelines on their tax obligations. This clarity will reduce the chances of disputes with tax authorities. Additionally, the creation of a Tax Appeal Tribunal offers a fair platform for resolving any disagreements that may arise.

    While the 2024 Tax Reform Bills offer significant benefits, it hasn’t been well received by some Nigerians.

    Some have pointed to the fact that there may be delays in fully implementing the reforms. Resistance to change from certain sectors may also slow down the process.

  • Osinbajo chairs NEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday presided over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting which will deliberate on the minimum wage request, among other issues, started around 11.26am when Osinbajo arrived the Council chamber.

    After rendition of the National anthem, opening prayer was offered by Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

    Read Also: We’ve credible plans to get Nigerians out of poverty, Says Osinbajo

    Among state governors in attendance included Lagos, Zamfara, Adamawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Niger, Ekiti, Bauchi,

    Among the deputy governors in the hall included Nasarawa and Ogun.

    Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed.

    Others at the meeting included Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, Minister of Education Adamu Adamu, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefuele.

  • Why every classroom should count

    I read this morning that the National Economic Council (NEC) was set to declare a state of emergency on education in Nigeria. About time, I thought. From reports, it has got to the stage where pupils themselves are beginning to go on strike and are refusing to go to school. I think though that our efforts should begin by taking a good look at the Nigerian classroom and the neglect meted out to it. Believe me, every one of those classrooms, under the tree or not, represents the sum of all our failures.

    If I ever find myself carrying any placard at all, I’m sure it will read one thing only: EVERY CLASSROOM COUNTS! Luckily, I am too timid to carry one. Anyway, the reason is that too many times, the nation tends to forget many things. It forgets that every pupil in the land is a product of the classroom. Heck, even those people taking political, social and economic decisions tend to forget that they passed through several classrooms in their checkered careers as students. People’s ideologies, perspectives, friendships, bonds, marriages and other life-ties are formed in them across the entire educational strata. Why then do we neglect to take the classroom into account in all of our plans?

    It is gratifying to remember that there is no world leader today that did not go through several classrooms. Many of us have different stories to tell about the classrooms we have been. I have shared many of my own experiences in some of the classrooms I have been on this column. You remember the joke that goes, ‘she has two teenage children but no other abnormalities’? So also, in those days, the normal classrooms were largely sane and fairly normal, except for the pupils. We were the abnormal ones, but not anymore.

    In the Nigerian public classroom, what was normal has become abnormal and what was abnormal has become… well, more abnormal. Let’s begin with the normal turned abnormal. You remember how neat and clean the school environment used to be? It began with the buildings. Even in the remote rural areas, the school buildings were not necessarily the best nor did they stand out for their designs. However, you could tell them apart for the authority they represented in their designs, colours and school playgrounds.

    Now, the abnormal rules. There are school grounds that are no different from the rocky, roughshod and unkempt environment which shares borders with them. The buildings are not only dilapidated; they are actual dangers to the pupils that attend them. In many of them, the walls that have plaster have lost their colours, and the ones that have colours have no plaster. Oh yes, you can see pale or black or somewhere in the twilight zone of brown colour peeping at you from the sands in the walls. Generally, in most public schools, the sand serenades the one who leans against them. The same thing goes for the floorings: many have none, some have cracked ones while others have learners stepping on molded earth. To run therefore, the children have to undulate between earth, blocks and concrete.

    Many school blocks have open roofs that are pointing skywards because somewhere between rainstorms, no one cared enough to put back the troubled sheets of roofing. Eventually, of course, the sheets take their leave. Then the classroom becomes open to the elements, worsening the incursion of the wild – rain, storms, hail, animals, crows, etc. I guess it points to our generous nature – we did say all were welcome to go in and learn in the Nigerian classroom.

    Sadly, even the favoured wooden panes are no longer on the Nigerian classroom windows. When they do hang around, they do exactly that: hang around, because they are broken and not replaced. So, resourceful pupils begin to use the permanently open windows as alternative routes for getting in and out of the classroom.

    Now, it was normal to love and hate the teacher at that time because he did his work too well. In those normal times, the teacher was the head of the class. S/he was respected and appreciated. One world leader even married one of his teachers! Now, that is what I call appreciation sir! I think her teaching methods and ability ensured this. In the Nigerian situation, the teacher is not so appreciated I think, neither by his or her wards, the parents or the employer, which is often the state. When the salary is paid, it is delayed or dangled like a carrot that is never released. Most times, the teacher is expected to make do with thin air for sustenance. In return, he or she does little or no work.

    I have often asked myself what can be responsible for all these ruinous situations and have not been able to come up with the appropriate answer other than, well, we are living in a third world country and these are the signs. I think the principal culprit though is the weather. The weather is much too kind to us around these parts. The sun smiles down upon our blessed pates almost round the clock so there is no need to go scurrying around repairing anything before a hail of snow that can result in the death of all – pupil, teacher and the ignorer especially, i.e., the one who refused to release funds for the repairs or to pay the teacher. He may be the local government chairman, the state governor, the minister or the president. The chain of command is long.

    Funds may also be released but someone along that line-up of command may divert the funds and refuse to allow the repairs to be done. The general name for this kind of diversion of funds is corruption but I have a special name for it. I call it wickedness. I think it is plain, good ol’ wickedness that will prompt a man (or woman) to withhold an ensemble of funds needed to keep a school together and he would use it instead to send his or her own children to schools in the UK or the USA, leaving the poor children here to rot in ruins. The pervasiveness of this kind of wickedness in the land is what makes many people think that the black man is generally wicked. Luckily, women are not included so I agree.

    Seriously, I am taking two things from these thoughts. One, the classroom cannot attract innovative thinking in pupils if, in itself, it needs someone to do some innovative thinking for it. True, children should be made to go to school, but they must be made to want to go back to school and stay in school. Presenting them with learning environments that look like Greco-Roman ruins cannot make anyone come back the next day unless they are gluttons for punishment. The classroom should be made averagely attractive.

    The second thing is that the teacher should really begin to take charge of the class responsibly. As has been shown many times, many Nigerian teachers are lacking in knowledge, method and abilities to lead any child from ignorance into a state of knowledge. Many teachers’ interest in the job is at Ground Zero level; they stay in the job until ‘they get something better’ to do. For many, that time never comes. So, all their professional lives, they are ‘make-do’ teachers. As the head of the classroom, teachers need to be in charge. For this to happen, self-development is the key.

    I agree that a state of emergency should be declared in the educational sector. However, our efforts should include empowering the classroom so that true innovations can begin to come out of it. This means that every classroom counts.

  • Gates, Obi and Nigeria’s development imperatives

    Two of the acknowledged hallmarks of effective leadership are the ability and courage to identify and harness available human and material resources or assets to fulfil its mission, role or mandate – and these assets include constructive criticisms designed to help improve the quality of results. The basic assumption here is that the leadership has a programme of action; and is focused and committed.

    Easily one of the world’s most innovative and successful entrepreneurs, Bill Gates is a man of vision and mission. Over the years, he has committed a lot of his time and resources to the service of humankind – with passion and dedication. In developing countries, including our dear own Nigeria, he has initiated and funded several programmes that have impacted positively on the socio-economic well-being of millions of people. That cannot be said of majority of our wealthy compatriots and those holding the public trust.

    On a recent visit to Nigeria, Bill Gates had observed to the nation’s National Economic Council [NEC] that the government’s Economic Recovery & Growth Plan [ERGP] was “prioritizing physical capital over human capital” even as it identifies the latter as one of its three strategic objectives. Not mincing words, he urged Nigeria’s political leadership to wake up to the responsibility of promoting the welfare of the people, especially through decent investments in education and health. In an interview later on the subject-matter, he also drew attention to the gross neglect of the teeming youth population: “The current quality and quantity of investment in this young generation in health and education just isn’t good enough”.

    Predictably, some of those in the public trust – in their erroneous posture of omniscience – demonstrated a lack of charity to appreciate the merits of what they blankly assume as antagonism against the incumbent administration. A state governor, for instance, literally retorted that the ERGP truly reflects the needs of Nigerians. In his wisdom, he ought to know, especially after he sacked thousands of public officers in his state! There followed a condescending, if not insulting, comment from a minister that the media “misunderstood the context” of Bill Gates’ address.

    Previously, two retired Generals-cum-former Heads of State had made similar observations on the lack of people-focus being exhibited by the current administration. If the administration contends that those gentlemen were ill-intentioned, would they say that Bill Gates was also running it down? Among other human welfare projects, his Foundation has expended billions of dollars to combat such critical threats as HIV/AIDS and malaria. It is the same Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that is paying off a US$76 million loan Nigeria took from Japan to combat the polio scourge.

    Arguably, Bill Gates was stating the obvious and spoke for many. Good governance is about the people whose welfare is the primary responsibility of government. At the sub-national level, this reality has been amply demonstrated by the likes of Lateef Jakande in Lagos State in the Second Republic and more recently, Peter Obi in Anambra State. Take the case of Peter Obi’s programme of action for the people of Anambra State.

    The Obi administration domesticated the then Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] into a multi-faceted Anambra Integrated Development Strategy [ANIDS], which enabled the attainment of commendable strides in varied people-oriented initiatives and projects. Under Peter Obi, Anambra became the first state to conduct a poverty mapping revealing that poverty was aggravated by inadequate access to the rural areas, which produce most of the agricultural products. As part of its poverty alleviation programme, several roads were constructed to facilitate linkages between the rural and urban areas; and hence boost incomes and well-being among especially the rural populace. The then minister of works and Senate Committee on Works affirmed that the state had the best road network in the country.

    On education, the administration’s momentous decision to return schools to their original missionary proprietors gave rise to a novel and highly-successful Government-Church partnership – backed by massive investments in structures, staff and students’/pupils’ welfare. In effect, Anambra State consistently earned the first position in most national examinations, with the added value of raising productivity in different walks of life. Impressed by this unique initiative, the World Bank commissioned a study led by Oxford University’s Professor Collier to explore its adoption by other governments.

    Focusing on youth development, the Obi administration collaborated with some public-spirited NGOs to undertake a youth re-orientation and empowerment programme [ANSYREP]. Today, several of the programme’s beneficiaries own and operate successful enterprises as ICT service providers, beauticians, fish and poultry farmers, fashion designers/dress-makers, video-photographers, GSM repairers, builders, POP and tile producers, welders, interior decorators, electricians, painters, confectionery-makers, event managers, among others.

    In the health sector, the Obi administration – also in partnership with the missionaries – resuscitated many Schools of nursing, midwifery, and health technology to enhance capacity building. Existing hospitals were rehabilitated and revamped through huge investments in facilities and staffing. Primary and Maternal Health Centres were also established in rural communities across the state; while a fully-equipped teaching hospital came on-stream for tertiary health education and healthcare delivery. With the significant reduction in maternal & child mortality ahead of the MDG 2015 target, commendations came from the MDG Office in The Presidency as well as an Award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for Immunization.

    In addition to concerted efforts towards environmental sustainability, the Obi administration also vigorously pursued Global Partnership for Development. During that tenure, Anambra State was among the top-most recipients of foreign direct investments and development partnerships in Nigeria – with such global giants as LG Electronics of Korea, which first phase is construction of the LG Electronics, CISCO, UNDP, UN-Habitat, The World Bank, IFC, UNESCO, UNFPA, WHO, IFAD, EU, JICA, CIDA, USAID, AfDB and DfID.

    The fore-going illustrations indicate that good governance could, indeed, be delivered to the people by a focused and committed leadership – at the local, State and national levels. As Peter Obi observes, “Good governance is common sense; not rocket science”.

    In a country where the hapless majority have continued to wonder whether they are cursed or condemned, it behoves on those who can summon courage to speak out to do so. Bill Gates has indeed drawn attention to the Nigerian development imperatives. Grudgingly or willingly, we should use the advice of this great man who has consistently been dedicated to the noble ideals of meeting the disadvantaged and under-privileged at their various points of need. Whatever the impressions to the contrary, the reality is that an increasing proportion of the Nigerian citizenry is steadily sliding into the vulnerable groups subsisting under the poverty line.

     

    • Suji sent this piece from Owerri

  • Dino Melaye is a noise maker, says Yahaya Bello

    …Dino can’t distract me – Yahaya Bello

     

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Thursday reacted to a video of Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West, saying he has been roundly defeated and cannot do anything.

    Dino Melaye. in the recently released video on Instagram was seen singing, dancing and mocking the governor.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on the sidelines of the expended National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Bello claimed that he had not seen the video as he was too busy to listen to a noise maker.

    Bello said, “I don’t know there is any such video from anybody, I am not aware. Maybe, you may tell me what the video is all about, I am not aware if there is any such video.

    “You see Kogi state is a very complex state and I took it over when things were really bad and I am doing my best to ensure that we give quality service to the good people of Kogi state.

    “So any noise maker out there is just disturbing himself. So I just focused on the job as the executive governor of Kogi state, and I am doing my best and the people of Kogi state really appreciate my services to them.” he stated

    On the recent attack in Kogi, he said, “It was a very pathetic situation where about 12 people were killed and I visited that place. It is a place that was neglected by their own people and it was unfortunate that that incident happened and we have constituted Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look into the immediate and remote cause of that attack because this is not the first time that an attack is happening in that particular area.

    “In 2014 it happened where lives and property were destroyed but thank God with the support of the military, police and other security agencies were able to quickly move into action and then that particular incident had been stopped.

    “As we speak arrests are being made and investigations are on and by the time the Judicial Panel of Inquiry comes up with its own findings and recommendations, l am sure there will be a lasting solution to that crisis.

    On People’s Democratic Party (PDP) allegation that the rescued Dapchi girls is an arrangement, Bello said, “I think Nigerians are happy with Mr.President for the good job that he is doing for being proactive and for the quick response by the military and other security agencies in rescuing our Dapchi girls, I think it is a good job that they have done and I really congratulate Mr. President, I congratulate the APC, I congratulate the government and good people of Yobe State, I congratulate the girls and their parents and I congratulate Nigerians.

    “By the grace of God such effort is being made to ensure that the remaining Chibok girls are brought back. You will recall that when Mr. President came, probably the APC might have arranged the kidnap of Chibok girls then. So I think those that are accusing APC or our government of arranging such a kidnap are insensitive to the parents, to the children and to Nigerians. We shouldn’t push politics to certain level. So we should congratulate ourselves and I am sure such incident will not repeat itself in the country.”

    Read Also: ‘Assassination attempt’: Court orders prosecutor to appear with Melaye’s case file