By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA— Eminent Nigerians have unanimously called for urgent diversification of the economy, yesterday, with specific attention on developing the road and rail network, ICT, and solid minerals in order to end the poverty ravaging the country.
Manufacturing Company Limited, Chief Innocent Chukwuma (right),
conducting the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed (middle), on a facility tour of the company in Nnewi, Anambra State on Monday
The renowned persons, who gathered at the recent symposium of The Osasu Show in Abuja, voiced their position via a communiqué issued at the end of the symposium with the theme: ‘The New Economy and Its Impact on the Less Privileged Citizens.”
They also took a stance on the war against corruption, noting: “The anti-graft war should not be politically motivated and should yield result in terms of jail sentences, and not pending court cases and trials.”
The symposium, which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, had in attendance the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; Director General of the Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside.
Others include, former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion; former Akwa Ibom State, Chief Victor Attah; former governor James Ibori of Delta State; Senator Dino Melaye, and Country Director of One Campaign, Serrah Makka.
The symposium also attracted eminent individuals drawn from the academia, development organizations, private sector, multilateral agencies, the media, civil society, and the legislature.
They noted that while the country’s rural economic capital is domiciled in its huge agricultural potentials, and both mineral and human resources, attaining inclusive and rapid economic growth will require wholesome diversification of the economy.
