President Muhammadu Buhari’s realignment of its economic development strategies and methodologies will build bridges for many Nigerians to come out of poverty, says the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs, George Akume.
He stated this at the closing ceremony of the ‘NIG@60: Made-In-Nigeria exhibition/trade fair and lecture,’ on Thursday in Abuja.
The four-day exhibition/trade fair and lecture was organised by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) as part of activities to mark Nigeria at 61.
Mr Akume stated that the recent ‘Partnership Economy Nigeria Summit’, organised by the ministry, was to diversify the Nigerian economy, promote rural growth and generate sustainable jobs for the youths.
“This event is apt considering the interest of Mr President at not only addressing the challenges of our rural communities through the numerous policies that are being implemented by his administration but by a deliberate attempt to move 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years,” explained the presidential adviser. “This Trade fair as it were is to promote massive economic development and showcase empowerment schemes at the grassroots level being driven by the present administration, led by President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Mr Akume added that the ministry believed in building synergy and strengthening the ongoing efforts of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
He further mentioned that the ministry believed that the federal government could deliver over four million jobs annually to industrialise rural communities through the Lease Operate Pay and Own Scheme (LOPOS) and One Local Government One Product (ONLOP) programmes.
Mr Akume added, “When LGs drive value addition economic activities on primary raw materials/commodities and natural endowments at the council wards, it will be possible for the wards as Presidential Economic Development Districts to serve as the building blocks of a re-engineered Nigerian Economy built from the bottom-up.”
(NAN)