Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, says the Tinubu administration is prioritising investment in human capital and related areas because Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people.
The Vice President made the remarks during the Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) Annual Lecture and Awards ceremony in Abuja at the weekend, just as he commended the organisers for the choice of theme for the lecture.
The Vice President, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters (Office of the Vice President), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the theme of the Annual Lecture “expands the horizon for a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges at the meeting point between the citizen and the State.”
He noted that the direction Nigeria is heading will be determined by the quality of the country’s human assets.
He said, “We are burdened by past and current challenges which will take huge efforts to overcome. We are also beckoned by greatness for which we have been well prepared by our huge endowments in human and other resources. The difference in which direction we go will be located in the quality of our human assets.
“The choices we make today will be critical in determining whether we just continue to grow a population, or we build a strong economy to support and add quality to the life of a huge citizenry because we have invested in developing the quality of our population through good and relevant education, health services, an informed access to developing opportunities in technology and growing our natural resources.”
Good Governance
Stressing the need for good governance and a secure country, VP Shettima sought the support of Nigerians, saying in return, the Tinubu administration would strive to build a less challenging economy.
“We have to ensure good governance and security as priorities, not least because these are vital to inclusive development and the growth and development of the democratic process. From where we stand, Nigeria has no choice but to think and act boldly.
“We need the support and trust of all Nigerians. In return, we have pledged to lead the nation toward building a less challenging economy, in spite of the current hardships which we wish were avoidable. Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people. We have to rediscover and teach our young wholesome values like service, honesty and hard work. As an administration, we have very clear priorities we believe must be achieved,” he added.
The Vice President expressed optimism that the nation will overcome its current challenges and “lay the foundations of sustainable growth and security of the citizens and communities” under President Tinubu’s watch.
Dominica Nwabufo
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