Tinubu inaugurates NEC, meets Sanusi, Abdulsalami

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC), headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The council will advise the President on economic affairs of the federation. Membership comprises the 36 state governors, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other co-opted government officials.

Tinubu declared that the task of turning around Nigeria’s economy from an age-long status of “potential” to “pragmatic” had started with removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates.

Urging state governors to join the fray, the President listed eight priority areas for urgent attention and called for collective frameworks to stimulate a buoyant economy that meets needs of the poor and vulnerable.

He assured governors that the administration would address issues that devalue the lives of Nigerians, with focus on security, economy, jobs, agriculture, infrastructure, monetary policy, and fuel subsidy.

He said: “This government will continue to transform the fortunes of our nation and bring about unprecedented development, through good governance. We are committed to sustainable initiatives and programmes that will stimulate rejuvenation of the economy without causing inflation.

“The plans and ideas we have presented underscore our confidence and ability to meet challenges of the day and pave the way for a better future.”

Meanwhile, the 14th Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, met with Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Sanusi, a former Central Bank Governor, arrived at the Villa, a few minutes before 5:00 p.m.
His visit came barely one week after the President suspended the immediate past Governor of Nigeria’s apex bank, Godwin Emefiele.

The agenda of their engagement was not yet public as of press time.
Both men were meeting for the first time since Tinubu assumed the presidency on May 29.
Also, the President met with former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The visit by Abubakar came two days after former President Goodluck Jonathan came to the Villa to brief the President on developments in Mali.