By DUMAH RANDONG
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth and diversifying the nation’s economy.
Senator Akume made the call at the commissioning of a 250-capacity auditorium named after him at the North Central Zonal Office of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in Jos.
He noted that Nigeria had for years operated an economy overly dependent on oil and gas, stressing that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy had the potential to unlock the country’s vast marine resources for wealth and job creation.
Akume explained that within the last two years, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy had rolled out a national marine policy targeting not only the exploitation of marine resources but also the entire ecosystem, to open doors of investment and opportunities for citizens.
He commended the Nigerian Shippers Council and the Ministry for their commitment to promoting policies on economic diversification.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, in a keynote address, commended the NSC for its activities in the state, saying they represented more than administrative expansion but also an opportunity for enhanced trade linkages, investment attraction and job creation.
Represented by his Deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo, Governor Mutfwang reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that encourages sustainable economic growth.
He assured of continued collaboration with the Nigerian Shippers Council and other stakeholders in advancing the Federal Government’s agenda on trade facilitation, logistics modernisation and export promotion.
The governor noted that the newly commissioned edifice would serve as a beacon of partnership and progress, symbolising the government’s determination to make Plateau a centre of commerce and industry in the North Central region and Nigeria at large.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described the commissioning of the Senator George Akume Auditorium as a visionary milestone and a testament to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Represented by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Iku, Professor Yilwatda noted that the project’s economic benefits went beyond job creation, serving as a catalyst for regional integration and a platform for knowledge exchange within the North Central Zone, while strengthening its link to Nigerian seaports.
He commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the Executive Secretary of the NSC for their bold steps to extend the Council’s reach beyond the ports.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Oluwafemi Oluwatora, disclosed that the Ministry’s marine and blue economic policy – the first of its kind – targeted both the exploitation and preservation of marine resources within an integrated ecosystem approach.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for championing initiatives that stimulate Nigeria’s economic growth.
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Pius Akutan, described the initiative as a demonstration of the Council’s strategic role in advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and diversifying the nation’s economy.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairman of the North Central Senate Caucus, Senator Sani Musa, and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, represented by the Gwom Rwei Heipang, Paul Tok, who both applauded the Ministry’s achievements and the project’s significance for the region.