The wake of Thursday saw President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on inaugurated the National Economic Council at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
The exercise was prompt following the Presidents’ order last week for the council members to nail down intervention plans to mitigate the effects of the petroleum subsidy.
Mr. President inaugurated the NEC members at 11:25 am, and task them with the responsibility of growing the nation’s economy, while stressing the enormousity of the challenges ahead.
The president also urged the council to work together and support his administration’s mandate to transform the economic fortunes of the country saying “Collaboration is Not a crime. Please let us do so.”
Afterward, the president departed the chambers for his office as VP Shettima steered the discussions amongst council members.
The NEC was established by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended; Section 153(1) and Paragraphs 18 & 19 of Part I of the Third Schedule.
Chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Council, which meets monthly, has the mandate to “advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.”
Its members comprise the 36 State Governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other co-opted Government officials.
Present were the Governors of Osun – Ademola Adeleke, Akwa Ibom – Umo Eno, Kwara – Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Kogi – Yahaya Bello, Ekiti – Biodun Oyebanji, Nasarawa – Abdullahi Sule, Enugu – Peter Mbah, Cross River – Bassey Otu, Plateau – Caleb Muftwang, Kebbi – Nasir Idris, Katsina – Aliyu Radda and Benue – Hycinth Alia.
Also in attendance were Governors of Ogun – Dapo Abiodun, Delta – Sheriff Oborevwori, Sokoto – Ahmad Aliyu, Zamfara – Dauda Lawal, Anambra – Charles Soludo, Yobe – Mai Mala Buni, Taraba – Agbu Kefas, Gombe – Inuwa Yahaya, Rivers – Siminalayi Fubara and Niger – Mohammed Bago.
Abia – Alex Otti, Oyo – Seyi Makinde, Ebonyi – Francis Nwifuru, Kaduna – Uba Sani, Edo – Godwin Obaseki, Bayelsa – Douye Diri, Kano – Abba Yusuf, Bauchi – Bala Mohammed and Deputy Governors of Borno, Umar Kadafur and Ondo – Lucky Ayedatiwa were not left behind.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, Acting Governor of Central Bank – Folashodun Shonubi, Permanent Secretaries Budget and National Planning, Federal Capital Territory Administration and State House were also in attendance.
