By Seun Adams
President Bola Tinubu, has commended the invaluable contributions of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in the nation’s development, stating that their managerial expertise is vital in unlocking the full potential of resources and human capital that abound in the country.
Tinubu, who was represented by Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, stated this at the 2024 Annual National Management Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The President said the theme of the conference, “Economic Stability and National Security: The Contending Issues and the Way Forward,” is apt and relevant to charting a new course and national rebirth for the country in line with the federal government’s eight-point agenda”.
The agenda, the President added, includes: food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, improving security, rule of law, and fighting corruption.
“As we strive to actualise the vision of a prosperous and self-sufficient nation, we recognise that economic stability is crucial. It is the bedrock upon which we can build sustainable growth, create jobs, and foster innovation”.
He called for collective action among the government, business leaders, civil society, and citizenry in achieving the desired economic stability “As we chart the way forward, I urge all of you, leaders, managers, and professionals, to foster collaboration across sectors”.
The President further noted that building synergy together, “we can harness our collective expertise to develop robust policies that will stimulate economic growth while ensuring the safety and security of our citizens”, he declared.
President Tinubu also highlighted that government has adopted a multifaceted approach to confront security challenges, enhanced intelligence capabilities, strengthened community policing, and equipped the security forces.
He informed that his administration has within the period continued to steer the ship of the nation, making appreciable strides in diversifying the economy, with significant investments in some critical sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy.
The President called on other Nigerians to emulate NIM by synergizing with government in “building a nation of our dreams that embodies peace, prosperity and progress”.
The keynote speaker, Dr (Mrs) Ajoritsedere Awosika, OON, MFR, (Former Chairman of Access Bank), applauded the timeliness of the conference theme and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the people to foster economic growth.
Mrs Awosika observed that government alone cannot solve all the problems of the nation and therefore proposed further collaboration with local communities to tackle grassroots challenges.
She also advocated for transparent governance, accountability, rule of law and private-public partnerships and innovation.
In her opening remarks, President and Chairman NIM Council, Mrs. Christiana Atako, FNIM, emphasized the relevance of the conference theme and identified the challenges in the nation to include: impact of fuel subsidy removal, floating of the Naira, banditry, herders/farmers clashes and the japa syndrome.
Atako, therefore proffered solutions such as, good governance,multifaceted approach to revitalise the economy, infrastructure development and combating poverty.
The conference was attended by several dignitaries including; the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and members of the National Assembly.