No Going Back On Nigeria’s Digital Revolution, Shettima Says 

Vice President Kashim Shettima, has restated the firm resolve of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to revolutionise Nigeria’s digital economy, saying it is on course and fully backed by the necessary support, initiatives and partnerships.

To this end, he said the Federal Government will continue to open its doors to all willing partners and stakeholders who continue to believe and invest in the Nigerian project, adding that it is just a matter of time before the nation takes its rightful position across the globe.

Shettima, who gave the assurance on Thursday when the management of Oodua Investment Company Limited led by its Chairman, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, paid him a courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja, praised the Company for its initiatives and investment in agriculture, digital economy and MSMEs.

The Vice President noted that these sectors remain critical to Nigeria’s economic development and future.

“The Southwest region of our country has the enormous capacity to revolutionise the country given its endowments, just as the policies of President Tinubu will, in no time, manifest as the greatest milestones crossed for the development of Nigeria,” he stated.

On the ”weaponization of fuel subsidy,”  Shettima described it as an albatross that hung on the neck of the Nigerian nation, as well as the hitherto manipulated exchange rate.

“Few persons sat on our commonwealth and manipulated our resources. But we are checkmating these manipulations and as can be seen the economy is gradually beginning to recover and pick up. We are, indeed, ready to carry the burden of leadership and together with stakeholders like you, we are crossing the rubicon and the time for reaping will come,”the Vice President further said.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of Oodu’a Investment Company Limited, Otunba Ashiru, who thanked the Vice President for the opportunity to pay him a courtesy call, commended President Tinubu for promoting ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Similarly, he praised the encouragement they got from the Vice President, just as he said, “You could see that businesses are coming in, and that is why we are here. I see a brighter future in this country with what we have seen in general.

“Nigerians have no business going around the world looking for money, especially with the volume of resources at its disposal, more so that our investors are our greatest assets,” he said.

Ashiru expressed optimism that businesses will continue to thrive under the Tinubu administration, even as he called on citizens and investors to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in Nigeria and do business.

“Earlier, it was one of the issues that the Vice President was applauded for. I served as a former Commissioner in my state, and I know that actually, the Office of the Vice President focuses on that aspect of doing business in Nigeria.

“Now, I’m sure Nigeria has moved up the ladder. I remember Nigeria was sometimes ranked around 140 or so. I can tell you that there are lots of opportunities in this country,” he added.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Group Managing Director of Oodua Investment Company Limited, Abdurrahman Yinusa said the company is seeking to collaborate with the federal government in the agriculture and information technology sectors of the nation. 

Yinusa expressed satisfaction with the meeting’s outcome, emphasizing the need for private and public sector collaboration to drive economic growth. 

He highlighted the company’s passion for agriculture and information technology, citing the latter as the fourth industrial revolution.

Oodua GMD further said the the Vice President assured the delegation that the government is focused on positioning Nigeria as a leader in these fields, aligning with the company’s goals. 

His words: “I think we are very pleased with the meeting, the outcome of the meeting, essentially, is to ensure there is collaboration between the private sector and the public sector, and it’s quite a lot that can be done to move key sectors of the economy. 

“We are passionate about agriculture and we are passionate about information technology because that is the fourth industrial revolution and the Vice President has assured us, including the President, that they are actually focused on making sure that Nigeria takes its rightful place in the comity of nations in those two fields”.

Deji Elumoye

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