President Muhammadu
Buhari, has called on past and incumbent winners of the Nigerian National Order
of Merit Award (NNOM) to proffer solutions to the lingering socio-economic
problems in the country.
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| President Muhammadu Buhari |
Buhari, who was
represented by Mr. Babachir Lawal, the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF), said this at the 9th Annual Forum of Laureates of NNOM in
Abuja on Tuesday.
The theme of this year’s
forum is: `Mono-Economy, Diversification, Exchange Rate Stability and the
Development of the Nigerian Economy’.
The President is expected
to award N10 million each to two recipients of this year`s NNOM on Dec. 1.
The awardees are Prof.
Sadik Omowunmi, who specialises in the area of science and technology, and
Prof. Tanure Ojaide, who specialises in the humanities.
Buhari acknowledged the
relevance of the laureates, saying that their involvement would go a long way
in contributing meaningfully to the development of any economy.
“This forum is coming at
the time when some countries in the world, particularly Nigeria, are going
through a period of economic recession that needs serious and aggressive
approach.
“It is appropriate and
timely as no nation can prosper without a stable economy.
“It is, therefore, very
apt that the eminent members of this forum should choose to focus their
attention on the present economic challenges of our country,’’ he said.
Buhari added that the
recommendations of the laureates would be welcome not only for their capacity
to assist in revamping the economy, but in building a resilient economy that
would be free from economic saboteurs.
He said although most of
the challenges of the country had been in gestation, the knowledge of the
laureates could help the country emerge from the problems stronger.
The Minister of Budget
and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udoma, said the current economic situation
was caused by Nigeria’s undue reliance on a mono-economy driven by crude oil.
According to Udoma, there
is no doubt that the only solution to this problem is to diversify.
He said the country had
been tackling the problem of exchange rate instability resulting from the
reduction in foreign exchange earnings occasioned by the fall in crude oil
export.
The minister said the
present administration had designed the 2016 budget in such a way that it would
tackle some of the challenges facing the country.
“As you are aware, this
administration came in to meet an economy that was suffering from declining
revenues and GDP growth, rising inflation weakening balance of payments and
declining foreign reserves.
“ It also met rising
public debt and recurrent expenditure, a weak capital market as well as rising
unemployment. We have therefore designed the 2016 budget to specifically
address these issues,’’ he said.
Also, Mrs Amina Shamaki,
the Permananent Secretary, Special Duties, Office of the SGF, called on the
award-winners to network with one another in search of lasting solutions to the
country’s economic problems.
Shamaki said that the
ideas that they would discuss at the conference would be communicated to
relevant entities for effective implementation toward Nigeria’s development.
She commended the winners
of the national honours for their contributions to nation-building.
In her response, Prof.
Omowunmi Sadik, said she would use her expertise to deliver good fortunes to
the Nigerian economy.
Sadik said her close
relationship and networking with other experts in other parts of the world
would help free the country from the shackles of recession.
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Source: The News Guru
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