Tinubu to NESG: My Support for Public-Private Sector Collaboration Unwavering

*Promises to implement his eight-point agenda in three years 

*Stresses no excuse for non-performance by anyone in his government

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, reemphasised his support for a robust public-private sector partnership to grow the economy, saying his administration’s sustained, bold and coordinated reforms are anchored on “strong adherence to accountability and transparency”.
Tinubu spoke at State House, Abuja, when he received in audience members of the board and management of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
He reiterated his resolve to fully implement the eight priority reform areas under the “Renewed Hope Agenda” within the next three years.

Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, noted that Nigeria was blessed with rich human and natural resources, in addition to opportunities, which could quickly be leveraged. He called for urgent harnessing of Nigeria’s diversity for collective gain.
The president said, “We have gone through the past. I will not look back. The focus of my horse and my race remains forward-looking. We have an abundance of knowledge and untapped mineral resources, and an agricultural sector that is God-given, but we tend to shy away from taking those gigantic steps that will result in prosperity for our people.
“We are not exploiting our diversity for prosperity, we are at each other’s throats, arguing about unnecessary things, instead of thinking and doing for our people.”

The president noted that he was elected on a “no excuses” platform for renewed hope and that he would not accept excuses from anyone in his government as they set out to deliver on his agenda.
According to him, “Looking backwards is retrogressive for any reformer. Looking forward can give you the leaps that will propel you in the right direction.
“We need think tanks in the agricultural sector. I don’t see why Nigeria will be so blessed with good soil and not have a commodity exchange. I don’t see why we have not been able to interrogate our real estate sector and propel it.

“I don’t see why we have not used consumer credit to build the purchasing power of our people and the capacity of our very own manufacturing sector.”
While commending NESG for believing in the reforms of his administration, Tinubu said the “bitter pill” must be administered to an ailing nation and economy to build a better future for the country.
He stated, “I am here and I believe we can do it together. No single person succeeds alone. The world is dynamic. We are confronted with climate change and other challenges, but somewhere in the eye of the storm, there is a quiet and peaceful corner for those who can toil well. With patience and determination, we will succeed.”

Earlier, Chairman of NESG, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, welcomed the economic reforms announced by the Tinubu administration, specifically with respect to fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange harmonisation, food security, and palliatives to sub-national governments.
Yusuf pledged that NESG would work with the newly inaugurated cabinet to achieve the eight-point agenda of the administration.
“Your track record in the effective implementation of bold economic reforms as the governor of Lagos leaves those of us in the private sector without doubt that you will achieve much greater feats as our nation’s president,” the NESG chairman told Tinubu.