STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s economy is at a turning point and will require the steadfast support of the private sector for sustained growth and prosperity.

Speaking during Iftar on Thursday in Abuja with members of the Nigerian business community, the President expressed gratitude for their support and pledged to engage with them more frequently.

”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.

”Thank you for persevering. We are at a turning point in our economy. I do not have to do a quadratic equation to illustrate all of that to you. I just want to appreciate you for your endurance and perseverance,’’ the President said.

Sharing insights from his visit to the New York Stock Exchange in 2023, President Tinubu noted Nigeria’s self-belief and determination to drive economic transformation from within.

”At the New York Stock Exchange, I appealed to foreign investors to consider Nigeria as a prime investment destination.

“At the end of my remarks, I told them we only want them to show their face and diversify Nigeria’s economy not as if we cannot do it ourselves.

“Tony Elumelu walked up to me and thanked me for making that statement. We can do it. Nigeria is a self-believer and can always deliver on its own. We know our first name and our last name. Our first name is: Spirit, and our last name is: Can do.”

President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his mandate, emphasizing that he cannot afford to underperform, given the trust placed in him by the electorate.

“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,’’ the President concluded.

In separate remarks at the Ramadan dinner, industrialists, bank executives, and entrepreneurs pledged their support towards the success of the administration’s economic programmes.

Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, assured the President that the Organized Private Sector (OPS) in the country is solidly behind him.

‘‘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,’’ Mr. Elumelu said.

Allen Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace, 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 the country.

”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 of Emzor Pharmaceutical Company, urged the President to look into providing more support for the pharmaceutical industry in the country to make it self-sufficient and self-financing.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

April 4, 2024

Business Mogul, Felix Aganbi, lauds Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse 111

Business Mogul, Feli Aganbi, on Tuesday commended Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse 111 for demonstrating exemplary leadership, living above board and for serving as a source of strength and inspiration for many within and outside Warri Kingdom kingdom.

‘’His Royal Majesty, Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse 111, is an intelligent, straightforward, courageous, selfless, amiable and committed patriot’’.

He also praised the Warri monarch for playing significant roles in the promotion of harmony, socio-cultural cooperation, communal living and peaceful co-existence among diverse peoples.

‘’The current peace, progress and prosperity in the Warri Kingdom can be attributed to his wise and benevolent leadership” he said.

Aganbi in a statement in Koko, headquarters of Warri North, praised Ogiame Atuwatse 111 for serving the kingdom with unerring grace, dignity and decency.

Aganbi, Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Water and Ajimele Oil, praised the monarch for stimulating harmony and development in Delta State, Keeping Itsekiri firmly on the road to development and uplifting the fortunes of Warri Kingdom.

Particularly, he lauded His Royal Majesty for utilizing his boundless energy, robust intellect, uncommon courage and tenacity of purpose to motivate members of the traditional council and prominent leaders for the highest ideals of governance, unity and development in Warri Kingdom.

“Ogiame Atuwatse 111, CFR is a man of impeccable character, a man of dignity, wisdom and compassion” he said.

The statement highlighted the monarch’s visionary leadership and selfless service to humanity.

“May the Good Lord, who has blessed Warri Kingdom, grant you good health, wisdom and strength”.

Ending the statement, Aganbi said “Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem and warmest congratulations on occasion of your 40th birthday’’