Tinubu Inaugurates NEC, Says Task of Growing Nation’s Economy Enormous

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the National Economic Council headed by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, with a charge on the council to support his administration’s move to transform the economic fortunes of the country.

The inauguration on Thursday which held at the Banquet hall of the State House in Abuja, is coming one week after the President directed NEC to come up with interventions to mitigate the effects of the recent removal of fuel subsidy. 

According to President Tinubu, the task of growing the nation’s economy is quite enomous adding that there is no excuse for failure.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment towards delivering on the campaign promises to Nigerians. 

The Council is currently in session.

The NEC 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.”

Membership of the Council include all the 36 State Governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other co-opted government officials.

Those attending the inaugural meeting include Governors of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; Anambra, Charles Soludo; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Taraba, Agbu Kefas;  Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori; Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara; Niger, Mohammed Bago and Sokoto, Ahmad Aliyu.

Others include Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Osun, Ademola Adeleke; Kogi, Yahaya Bello; Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji; Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule; Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno; Enugu, Peter Mbah; Cross River, Bassey Otu; Plateau, Caleb Muftwang; Kebbi, Nasir Idris; Katsina, Aliyu Radda and Benue, Hycinth Alia.

Others are Ebonyi, Francis Nwifuru; Kaduna, Uba Sani; Edo, Godwin Obaseki; Abia, Alex Otti; Bayelsa, Douye Diri; Kano, Abba Yusuf; Bauchi, Bala Mohammed; Oyo, Seyi Makinde; Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur and Deputy Governor of Ondo, Lucky Ayedatiwa.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, Acting Governor of Central Bank, Folashodun Shonubi, Permanent Secretaries of Budget and National Planning, Federal Capital Territory Administration, and State House are also attending the meeting. 

Details later…