Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for a formidable alliance among all tiers of government as well as development partners in the bid to wriggle Nigerians out of poverty and enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
This, he said, will never happen if all those involved in the business of governance do not align with one another to create an environment where every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive.
VP Shettima, who spoke on Wednesday during the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, suggested ways to address the immediate needs of the citizens, including building sustainable systems that empower them to become self-reliant and prosperous.
He however acknowledged that even though the problems inherited by the administration of President Bola Tinubu cannot be solved overnight despite the long-term solutions in progress, Nigerians are in urgent need of quick, impactful measures.
‘Our commitment to alleviating poverty and enhancing the qu
ality of life for all Nigerians will never materialize if we do not align with one another. We must strive to create an environment where every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive.
‘This includes not only addressing immediate needs but also building sustainable systems that empower our citizens to become self-reliant and prosperous,’ the Vice President stated.
Development Partners
He commended the efforts of development partners, particularly the Co-Chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, and the Chairman of the Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who were at the NEC meeting, describing them as ‘two distinguished individuals whose commitment to Nigeria’s progress is unparalleled.’
He said they have invested enormous resources into the welfare of Nigerians, spanning critical areas such as health, nutrition, agriculture, and education.
He stated: ‘Their philanthropy is not seasonal but a steadfast commitment that continues to shape our nation’s future. We did n
ot survive the lowest points of our journey as a nation by the proactivity of the government alone; we did so because we remained partners in rain and sunshine.
‘So, permit me to once again extend the nation’s deepest gratitude to our guests, whose empathy has always shone through whenever they are needed.’
Sub-Nationals
For the state governments, the Vice President said as sub-nationals in the federation, they are all stakeholders in redefining the future of Nigeria.
‘We are gathered here because none of us can fulfill the goals of guaranteeing the survival of our people in isolation. Whether by expanding access to quality education, improving healthcare, or offering skills training and job opportunities, it is clear that each one of us has the power to influence policy and decisions at various levels.
‘Our success relies on recognizing the socio-economic threats that have pulled us down the development index and, more importantly, on our resolve to walk the talk,’ VP Shettima stated.
Food Security
Un
derscoring how critical investing in food security is, the Vice President expressed delight with the efforts and reforms made so far by state Governors to boost agriculture.
‘However, we must not overlook the state of nutrition in our nation, which has led to stunting and other health challenges. This is a crisis that demands our unified attention and action. The future of this nation hinges on the health and well-being of our children,’ he added.
Source: Voice of Nigeria