Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu yesterday, rallied continued support from the Organised Private Sector (OPS), in efforts to increase economic growth and wellbeing of the people.
Speaking at a dinner in Abuja with members of the Nigerian business community, the President expressed gratitude for their support and pledged to engage with them more frequently, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, (Media & Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale.
The President was said to have reassured that Nigeria’s economy is at a turning point and will require the steadfast support of the private sector for sustained growth and prosperity.
He said: “I would have summoned you before now, not during Ramadan, because you are a very valuable part of my constituency.
“There is no driver of the economy that is bigger than the private sector. If the private sector is not flourishing, there is no growth, no prosperity, no employment, or development. No matter how flowery the speeches are, not even a mushroom will grow.”
Reiterating Nigerians can do spirit, Mr. Tinubu
restated his commitment to fulfilling his mandate, saying he cannot afford to underperform, given the trust placed in him by the electorate.
He continued: “I have no reason to underperform as the elected President of the country because I campaigned for the job.
“I cannot complain about the job. I appreciate the gesture, and what you have told me this evening is very inspiring. Cut the costs. Fix the bends. Summon courage. Save the money but push the economy. We will be there.
“There are some countries that have failed. There are some countries that have succeeded. In our time, in my time, all of us must work together to succeed. Thank you very much.”
There is no driver of the economy that is bigger than the private sector. If the private sector is not flourishing, there is no growth, no prosperity, no employment, or development. No matter how flowery the speeches are, not even a mushroom will grow.
Pledging support
Pledging their support in separate remarks the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, was quoted as assuring the President that the OPS in the country is solidly behind him.
He said: “Your transformation journey to turn around the economy and businesses are very appropriate for the country.
“We appreciate what you are doing. We know the journey will not be smooth, but given the will, we will get to the Promised Land.
“We admire your decisiveness, and we appreciate what you are doing. You are extremely passionate about taking Nigeria to the Promised Land.
“On behalf of the OPS, we want to assure you that we are 100 percent with you. We have engaged with your ministers and associates; we share ideas, and we support them. We know that under your leadership, you have the ability to heal Nigeria permanently.”
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace, Allen Onyema, charged business owners and manufacturers to work towards bringing down the cost of products and services.
Citing the example of Air Peace in reducing the cost of air tickets to London, Mr. Onyema thanked President Tinubu for improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu is thinking of the Nigeria of the future. The ease of doing business is coming back gradually. I can attest to that in the aviation sector because of the people you appointed to head that sector.
“I can also attest to what our High Commission in the United Kingdom did in making Air Peace flights into Gatwick Airport a possibility,” he said.
Dr. Stella Okoli, pharmacist and founder, Emzor Pharmaceutical Company, urged the President to look into providing more support for the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria to make it self-sufficient and self-financing.
