Nigeria Vice President Kashim Shettima in a compelling address during the 138th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), has called upon council members to forsake the idea of a vacation this yuletide season. Instead, he emphasized the importance of focusing on governance to alleviate the burdens faced by Nigerians.
Speaking virtually at the meeting, Vice President Shettima underscored the weight of responsibilities that the council shoulders, urging members to remain attentive to the demands of the populace.
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He stated, “None of us in this chamber should anticipate a vacation as the year draws to a close. We are returning to be judged by the promises we made to be here.”
Highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Shettima expressed confidence that the challenges inherited by the administration are surmountable. He commended Tinubu for providing visionary leadership and a coherent development plan aimed at fostering order, abundance, and stability in the country.
According to Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Shettima emphasized that government, at all levels, cannot afford to relate x, especially with constituents eagerly awaiting the manifestation of campaign promises.
Vice President Shettima Urges Nigerians To Be Positive Towards Tinubu’s Smart Initiatives
Vice President Shettima stressed the importance of citizens feeling the positive impact of initiatives such as fuel subsidy removal and forex unification.
He acknowledged that high inflation and the rising cost of living are global challenges affecting economies worldwide, asserting that these challenges serve as “inspiration for us to come together and tackle ours through realistic interventions.”
In the course of the meeting, NEC established committees on Economic Affairs and Crude Oil Theft And Management. The former will be led by Kwara State Governor, Alh AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, while the latter will be headed by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
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These committees will deliberate on critical matters and formulate short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies to address pressing economic issues.
The Council also received updates on account balances as of October 31, 2023. The Excess Crude Account stood at $473,754.57, the Stabilization Account at N32,063,186,474.96, and the Development Of Natural Resources Account at N156,770,745,529.74 during the same period. These figures provide insight into the financial landscape as the nation navigates through economic challenges.