‘Our best brains should take over public sector,’ Senate President says

monjola sotubo

November 18, 2016 7:31 PM

Saraki said further that the 8th Senate under his leadership is working to create the legislative framework for inclusive economic prosperity.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Senate President, Dr.

Saraki said further that the 8th Senate under his leadership is working to create the legislative framework for inclusive economic prosperity to all citizens.

The Senate President made the comments on Friday, November 18, while presenting the key note address at the inaugural National Chevening Alumni Leadership Summit organized by the British High Commission and the Nigeria Chevening Alumni Association in Lagos.

According to a statement released by Saraki’s Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, the Senate President said that “the most educated and skilled people should take over governance and help to convert the numerous God-given resources to genuine development for Nigeria and Nigerians.”

“...I wholeheartedly invite you to work with us in productive partnership so that we can journey together in this difficult but necessary task to build the Nigeria that we all wish for, for us and for our children. We are here today to explore 'The Economic prosperity of Nigeria and the role of alumni in contributing to economic growth',” Saraki said.

“As we continue to partner with the private sector, we in the 8th Senate believe that you have a significant role to play in contributing to economic growth largely by engaging with us in government; either at the Executive or Legislative level.

“We have seen from our partnership with the National Economic Summit Group (NESG), the benefits and we believe that with the caliber of alumni here, more can be achieved. Let me reassure you that we remain focused on achieving economic prosperity for all Nigerians.

“As we continue to grapple with the challenge of how best to manage our natural resources, here yet is another dimension. We must urgently begin to develop a system that puts our human assets to best use.

“We must urgently begin to create a system that enables us to put our best brains and minds in positions that they can contribute effectively to the development of our country. As we continue to struggle to find new solutions to the old problems that we face, people like you must be at the forefront, you must bring your expertise and experience to bear.

“Our approach therefore is to create the legislative framework for inclusive economic prosperity to all our citizens. We believe that the kind of economy we must build as we face the grim prospect of a post-oil world; is that which is able to tap on the best of our human capital, the creative energy of our youth and the diverse resources of our land.

“Even as we try to embrace this new thinking and solutions, we recognize the institutional challenges. This is why one of the first legislative initiatives we undertook as early as six months from resumption of office was to review all the laws that have made it difficult for people to do business in our country and frustrated investors willing to come into our economy.

“The 8th Senate is confident that these bills, once passed into law, would lay a solid legislative and policy foundation for the broad-based reforms that are so urgently needed to set our country on the path of inclusive economic growth,” he added.

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Saraki also urged Chevening Alumni in Nigeria to get involved in the quest for solutions to the economic crisis which he said “has effectively become the greatest challenge of our time.”

monjola sotubo