President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC), at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Council under the leadership of Vice President Kashim Shettima was inaugurated on Thursday morning.
The brief ceremony was attended by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and the 36 Governors of the Federation.
Speaking during the inauguration, the president urged governors to collaborate and use local government to rapidly develop infrastructure in view of enormous challenges facing the nation.
President Tinubu charged the council to join forces to support his administration towards transforming the nations economy.
He reminded the council of the promise made during his inaugural speech that he would focus on 8 priority areas including Security, Economy, Job creation, Agriculture and Infrastructure among others.
President Tinubu further noted that the task of the growing the economy is quite enormous but he and the Governors should have no reason to complain, as he underlined the need harness the Nations potentials to stimulate serious growth.
The president who subsequently inaugurated the NEC, concluded by reminding the members of NEC that collaboration is not a crime.
“You and I asked for it. We campaigned for it. We even danced for it. So, we have no reason to complain. Members of this country are behind us. They want reforms and they want it quickly. You here are stakeholders…. Collaboration is not a crime. Please, let us do so.”
Those in attendance as at the time the meeting commenced are Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Osun, Ademola Adeleke, Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule, Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno and Enugu, Peter Mbah Cross River, Bassey Otu, Plateau, Caleb Muftwang, Kebbi, Nasir Idris, Katsina, Aliyu Radda and Benue Hycinth Alia.
Others are Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, Anambra Charles Soludo, Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, Taraba, Agbu Kefas, Gombe, Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori, Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, Niger Mohammed Bago and Sokoto, Ahmad Aliyu.
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 and Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur and Deputy Governor of Ondo, Lucky Ayedatiwa
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Chief of Staff, 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 Budget and National Planning, Federal Capital Territory Administration, were all in attendance. OYO NEWS