*Describes Tinubu as Nigeria’s most business-friendly leader
*Tells north east leaders president means well for country
*CIBN pledges help towards revival of nation’s economy
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has sought the partnership and support of the banking community for the planned one million digital jobs initiative by the Tinubu administration for young Nigerians.
Shettima, who made the demand yesterday when he played host to a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) at the State House, Abuja, described President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s most business-friendly leader.
At another forum, Shettima has assured the north east leaders of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to stabilising and developing the North East zone, saying his principal meant well for Nigeria.
Addressing the delegation led by the President and Chairman of the Council, Dr. Ken Opara, who pledged to help the government towards reviving the nation’s economy, the vice-president, spoke about the intentions of the Tinubu administration across different sectors.
“Beyond the fuel subsidy removal, the harmonisation of the foreign exchange, beyond the tax and fiscal reform committee, President Bola Tinubu is the most business-friendly President in the contemporary history of Nigeria. He understands the business world; he has been part of the business world. He is determined and committed to repositioning this nation.”
Shettima urged bank executives and other members of the banking community to key into the federal government’s digital programme to create one million jobs in the technology space.
“Support us in our digital jobs initiative, support us to save this nation. I have confidence and hope in this nation and together we can make this nation work again,” he said.
Shettima, who spoke glowingly about the commitment of the banking sector to the development of the Nigerian economy called on the community to “bequeath to the future generation, the Nigeria of our dream.”
Earlier, Opara, noted that the leadership of the banking community in Nigeria was at the State House to pay homage to the Vice President.
He commended the Tinubu administration for its recent economic policies, especially the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate harmonisation, among others.
Opara assured the vice-president of CIBN’s cooperation in all of the administration programmes and policies, noting that, “The banking community will be very supportive in ensuring that the laudable policies of this administration are actualised in the interest of the people of this country.
“The banking industry will continue to play pivotal roles in supporting inclusive economic growth. We will continue to deepen financial inclusion by expanding access to banking services across the country.”
At another forum, while receiving in audience at the State House, Abuja, a delegation of North East Leaders of Thought (NELT), Shettima said, “The president means well for the nation. I have seen the soul of Bola Tinubu; I will not stop saying that.”
The North East leaders presented the North East Development Strategy and Plan document to the Vice President.
The vice-president, who observed that the delegation was made up of crème de la crème of the North East geopolitical zone and reflects the diversity of the region, said at their age, they were only fighting for their children and grandchildren and not for any pecuniary interest.
He assured the group that the North East Development Strategy and Plan document would get to the managing director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) within 48 hours.
Recalling the visit by the board and management of NEDC, who had presented a 10-year master plan for the region’s development to him on Wednesday, Shettima stressed the need for transparent leadership.
He stated: “80% of the anticipated NEDC budgeted fund is coming from multilateral agencies, and if you put in place a leadership that is inept and corrupt, you cannot get a dime from these agencies.
“I tasked the NEDC management to ensure that they make tangible investments in three key areas: electric vehicle technology, agriculture, including irrigation technology, and digital education. We are all united by poverty, insecurity and destitution. Our problem is not ethnicity or religion. Religion has become a body of rituals devoid of practical value. We must unite to fight these common enemies,” he stated.
The delegation led by a former Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture, Major General Ibrahim Bata Haruna (rtd), said the organ was a non-partisan and non-religious body bound by common zeal for the North East.
Haruna said, “The document provides a roadmap for the development of the North East and covers areas such as security, agriculture, manufacturing, business and trade, solid minerals, and health, among others.
“We have captured key deliveries for each sector. This document will provide an insight into addressing some of the issues facing the region.”
