The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Kashim Shettima, says Nigeria needs repositioning because how the world perceives Africa depends on what happens in Nigeria.
Senator Shettima stated this in Abuja at a symposium organised by the APC Professionals Forum, which focused on dissecting the Manifesto of the party’s Presidential Flagbearer, Mr. Bola Tinubu.
According to the APC Vice-Presidential candidate, because of the global recession predicted by experts, Nigeria will face tough times in the coming years hence the need for quality leaders such as Mr. Tinubu to steer the country through such hard times.
REPOSITIONING NIGERIA
“What is important is how to reposition Nigerian. The trajectory of the world is facing Africa, and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. How do we go about it? If Nigeria fails,, the black man has failed. We cannot shield ourselves from the global realities and challenges in Ukraine. We’re going to go through some rough waters in the coming months and years. Therefore, leadership is very crucial. 2023 will be a watershed election in the history of this country. I always say we are not on the journey for the Olympics. Still, an institution thrives on the superiority of ideas and track records, and who has better records than Bola Tinubu?” Shettima questioned.
Also, he emphasised the need for political discussions to focus on facts that can help the country rather than malicious aspersions, adding that the industrialisation and economic growth of Lagos state were because of the foundation laid down by Mr. Tinubu when he was governor in the state. To bolster the impact of track records, Shettima says his achievements as Governor of Borno State have made him suitable to lead Nigeria. He expressed the willingness of the Tinubu administration to engage with the APC Professionals of elected.
“The professionals are our leaders; they are the ones that will show the way for us. We will be humble enough to interface with you to cross fertilise our ideas with you. No one is an Island unto himself, we have to come together as a nation, as a people,” Shettima said.
TINUBU’S ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT
The discussants at the symposium were divided into four panels to speak on Mr. Tinubu’s economic blueprint, infrastructure roadmap, security plans, and judiciary reform.
While addressing the gathering, the Wife of Nigeria’s President Aisha Buhari, represented by a member of Nigeria’s House or Representative, Asabe Bashir, while speaking on security, stated the need to continue to train and equip security agencies to enable them to address emerging security threats.
“In the wake of globalisation and the revolution in communication, technology, and commerce, boundaries are becoming indiscernible, and new security-related threats have emerged that defy national boundaries. We expect that the national security plans of the incoming administration must continue to train and equip our security agencies to do more to secure the country and prevent crime. New ways of financing critical infrastructure like power, rail, road network etc, must be explored to stimulate economic development. More social development programs must be pursued to reduce poverty, and fresh ideas on combating emerging security challenges of kidnapping, oil theft, armed secessionist groups, communal clashes and flood must be proffered,” she suggested.
On the economy, there was a consensus that the plan by Tinubu to develop a Consumer Credit System would make life easier for Nigerians. Speaking at the event, a former Managing Director of First Atlantic Bank and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro, noted that there were 12 vital economic deliverables in the manifesto to boost every area of Nigeria’s economy.
Mr. Pedro, however, pointed out that three factors affect these deliverables, which he addressed in the manifesto.
“A recent survey of the Nigerian economy listed the three most essential variables that hinder the growth and development of the economy and, in particular, the industrial/manufacturing sector. These variables are high inflation rate, foreign exchange and market/rate instability scarcity, and poor infrastructure in energy (electricity and gas) and transportation.
“If we can produce more locally and reduce our level of importation of food and other non-essentials, we would curb the component of inflation that is imported. With low inflation, investors will have confidence in our economy, inject more investment inflows, and revitalize the real sector.
“Regarding exchange, investors yearn for adequate supply, market and price stability, and transparency. The absence of these factors handles the anxiety of manufacturers, traders, and other users of foreign currency. When we can boost the supply of foreign exchange, eliminate multiple exchange rates and bring transparency back into the market, investors’ confidence will be restored, and our goal of revitalising the real sector will be achievable.
“The manifesto clearly and pointedly addressed these issues and proffered fiscal and monetary policy options to tackle them and to revitalize the real sector and achieve its goals of making Nigeria a nation of manufacturers and producers,” Pedro stated.
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Speaking on infrastructural development such as power, a former Governor of Ogun state, Gbenga Daniel, said the plan to help mini power companies generate power Independent of the National Grid in regions would help solve some of the power problems in Nigeria. They also gave participants at the event opportunity to ask questions and make contributions.
S.O
