Restates no going back on subsidy removal

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that Nigeria, which used to be the sleeping giant of the world, is now ready to take its rightful place in the global arena.

“Nigeria, the sleeping giant of Africa, has woke up from its slumber,” Senator Shettima said on Tuesday at the 16th Annual Banking and Finance Conference holding in Abuja.

Shettima, therefore, restated that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy was irrevocable.

The Vice President said President Bola Tinubu was determined to catapult the nation to higher pedestal.

He enjoined the participants at the conference to come on board to help build a nation for all.

“This is a great nation on chains.

The potentials are there. It’s the leadership that is missing. That is what is lacking in our midst. We have the resources. We are closer to Europe than India,” he said.

The Vice President said the current administration was partnering with some banks to drive a digital economic process. He said some banks were already working with government to teach our young men digital skills to compete in the global digital space.

“Let’s walk the talk. We are open for business. Nigeria is the destination of choice for any savvy investors,” he said, while encouraging the bankers’ committee to utilise emerging and distracting technologies to harness Nigeria’s economic opportunities.

“We must prioritise financial inclusion and equal opportunity for everyone,” he added.

While noting that the forum was not one for name calling, Shettima said it was a sanctuary for innovation and vision for a better economy.

He ended his speech with the claim that as depressive as Nigeria’s challenges were, they are also pregnant with opportunities.

He told the participants that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu-led administration can’t be fully implemented without their cooperation, adding that, “We seek your partnership in getting this done.”