Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has sought the partnership and support of the banking community for the one million digital jobs initiative by the Tinubu administration for young Nigerians.
Shettima made the demand on Thursday when he played host to a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) at the State House, Abuja.
Addressing the delegation led by President and Chairman of Council, Dr Ken Opara, the Vice President who spoke about the intentions of the Tinubu administration across different sectors said, “Beyond the fuel subsidy removal, the harmonisation of the foreign exchange, beyond the tax and fiscal reform committee, President Bola Tinubu is the most business-friendly President in the contemporary history of Nigeria.”
His words: “He understands the business world; he has been part of the business world. He is determined and committed to repositioning this nation.”
Shettima urged bank executives and other members of the banking community to key into the Federal Government’s digital programme to create one million jobs in the technology space.
“Support us in our digital jobs initiative, support us to save this nation. I have confidence and hope in this nation and together we can make this nation work again,” he said.
The Vice President who spoke glowingly about the commitment of the banking sector to the development of the Nigerian economy called on the community to “bequeath to the future generation, the Nigeria of our dream.”
Earlier in his remarks, CIBN president, Dr Opara, noted that the leadership of the banking community in Nigeria was at the State House to pay homage to the Vice President.
He commended the Tinubu administration for its recent economic policies, especially the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate harmonisation, among others.
Opara assured the Vice President of CIBN’s cooperation in all of the administration programmes and policies, noting that “the banking community will be very supportive in ensuring that the laudable policies of this administration are actualised in the interest of the people of this country.
“The banking industry will continue to play pivotal roles in supporting inclusive economic growth. We will continue to deepen financial inclusion by expanding access to banking services across the country”.
He also briefed the Vice President on key engagements of the Institute, including those targeted at addressing emerging challenges in the polity, especially the brain drain syndrome.
Speaking with newsmen after the courtesy visit, the CIBN President said the banking
sector in Nigeria says it will continue to contribute to national development via agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
According to him, the slowdown in economic activities was responsible for depletion in the banking sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP but that tide is already changing.
“Essentially the banking sector represents the engine of growth and that is very important. They serve as catalysts for economic growth. What you saw with the growth in terms of our GDP contribution is what happened during the period of the last quarter where there was a slowdown in economic activities.
“But what we are seeing now is that banks are also deepening access to financial support especially to the key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, small businesses and infrastructure.
“So, we are going to see growth in the financial system as we move on, especially before the end of this financial year,” he assured Nigeirans.
Okpara also highlighted other areas of collaboration between the Nigerian government and the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
According to him: “The Vice President used the opportunity to share his vision and how we can work together; he talked about digital education, which is very important and we assured him that the Chartered Institute of Bankers will actually identify with the key initiatives in that area especially in the financial and economic sectors of our country”.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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