Tinubu Inaugurates National Economic Council
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Tinubu Inaugurates National Economic Council
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
President Bola Tinubu has officially inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja on Thursday morning.
The event, held at 11:25 am, marked an important step towards concretising intervention plans aimed at mitigating the effects of petroleum subsidies.
The NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, is tasked with advising the President on matters concerning the economic affairs of the Federation and coordinating the economic planning efforts of the various Governments of the Federation.
In his address, President Tinubu acknowledged the magnitude of the task at hand, stating, “The responsibility of growing our nation’s economy is immense. Therefore, there will be no room for failure or complaints, as all elected officials have actively sought and campaigned for their positions.”
READ: Abdulkarim Chukkol Steps in as Acting Chairman
The President urged council members to work collaboratively, emphasising that collaboration is not a crime but rather a necessity in achieving the administration’s mandate of transforming the country’s economic fortunes.
Following the inauguration, President Tinubu departed the chambers, leaving Vice President Shettima to lead the discussions among council members.
The NEC, established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, operates on a monthly meeting schedule. It consists of the 36 State Governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other co-opted government officials.
The council meeting saw the attendance of notable figures, including Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Aliyu Radda (Katsina), and Hycinth Alia (Benue). Other attendees comprised Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Mohammed Bago (Niger), and Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto).
Also, the gathering included Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Alex Otti (Abia), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Umar Kadafur (Deputy Governor of Borno), and Lucky Ayedatiwa (Deputy Governor of Ondo).
Prominent government officials in attendance were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari; Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein; Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Folashodun Shonubi; and Permanent Secretaries from the Budget and National Planning, Federal Capital Territory Administration, and State House departments.
