Northern governors’ economic revival initiative ‘ll make North global competitive block – Entrepreneurs

The Small Scale Entrepreneurs in Kebbi State has described the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) decision to set-up Economic Think-Tank Committee for economic revival as a move to make the region a global competitive block.

This is contained in a statement by the Vice Chairman, Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists, Kebbi State chapter, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

He said the arrangement would go a long way in reinventing and repositioning the economic base of Northern States towards becoming economic hub of not only Nigeria, Africa but the entire world.

“Following the decision by Northern Governors’ Forum to set-up economic think-tank-committee headed by Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, we feel it is necessary to support and commend the initiative.

“This arrangement will go a long way in reinventing and repositioning the economic base of Northern States with a view to becoming global competitive block.

“I must therefore call on all well meaning individuals, corporate organisations and organised private sector to key into the roadmap to be designed by the Bagudua-led Committee,” he pleaded.

Bagudu advocated for a collective effort to explore the abundant agricultural, minerals and tourism potentials of the region to reduce over dependence on oil.

This, according to him, will certainly complement the Federal Government diversification drive, adding that it will be a path towards building a strong economy for future generation.

The Vice Chairman observed that the initiative would be a strong platform for tackling the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed confidence that the Gov. Bagudu-led committee had the ability to augment the necessary impetus for creating robust economic engagements across the length and breadth of Northern Nigeria.

He advised the forum to design youth centred programmes that would provide opportunities and platforms for the beneficiaries to utilise their talents, time and energy in productive activities.

“This will be a panacea for restiveness, insecurity and destitution prevalent in the region,” he said. (NAN)