FG determined to make businesses thrive, says Shettima

Charges MTN to fast-track digital mobile money, education

Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed Federal government’s determination to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country.

Accordingly, Shettima tasked local and foreign investors to make Nigeria their investment hub.

The Vice President spoke, yesterday, when he hosted the management of First Surat Group, as well as top management of MTN Nigeria at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he charged MTN Nigeria to facilitate digital mobile money as well as digital education.

He noted that the Tinubu administration is willing to partner with various stakeholders in the quest to help boost the nation’s productivity base and generate rapid employment.

Commending the professionalism and devotion of Surat Group, which runs Nizamiye hospital, Nizamiye Foundation, as well as its educational institutions, Shettima noted that by extension, the Group, with its 2,500 staff, caters for over 100,000 extended families and dependents.

In a statement made available by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, the Vice President noted: “Agriculture remains key to the Nigerian economy. You may wish to consider divesting from the health and education sectors where you have distinguished yourself and delve into agric business where we have huge investment potential.

“I assure you that my principal is creating the right environment for businesses to thrive. Property rights will be enforced and no one will be deprived of their rights. We need foreign direct investment right now, more than ever before. Reach out to us and we will support you to succeed.”

For MTN Nigeria, the Vice President assured the telecoms giant of Federal Government’s commitment to removing all obstacles militating against businesses.

He said gone were the days of double taxation and unnecessary bottlenecks, adding that President Tinubu’s policy on ease of doing business would be carried out to letter.

While assuring that Nigeria’s economy would pick up massively in less than 15 months, he charged the telecommunication giant to consider fast-tracking digital mobile money, as well as digital education in Nigeria.

“I have never seen anyone committed to revamping Nigeria’s economy like President Tinubu. Yes, we may be facing challenges but believe me, in no distant time, the country will be better off for it,” he promised.

Earlier, Chairman of First Surat Group, Dr Ali Maina, thanked the Vice President, just as he said aside from the company’s vast interest and strategic partnerships, its corporate social responsibility has seen it invest millions of naira on the lives and welfare of Nigerians.

On his part, Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Ernest Ndukwe, and Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, said the telecoms firm remains committed to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

They promised that in no distant time, MTN Nigeria will birth the much needed 5D network in the country.