Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NCCIMA), in collaboration with the Niger State Government, has held its first annual lecture and dinner with the theme "The imperatives for economic growth and development in Niger State: contemporary issues for sustainable development.
Addressing participants at the event, which took place at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna, the Governor of Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, said the theme of the event was very apt due to his administration's commitment to the economic development of the state.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, disclosed that Niger State was blessed with both human and nonhuman resources to put the state on the right track of sustainable economic growth and development, but harnessing these resources to the benefit of all was a big challenge as it requires strategic planning, effective policies, and collaboration among stakeholders.
He said that the present administration, under his leadership, recognises the pivotal role of the private sector in driving economic growth and creating opportunities for the people and has promised to be committed to creating a conducive business environment that encourages investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship through partnerships with organisations like NCCIMA, aiming to foster economic diversification and job creation across various sectors in the state.
He observed that any society that has lost its educational and business values, growth, and development will be lost to that society, adding that we must not all be politicians before we can add value to the society or become rich.
Umaru Bago explained that from the lectures, they have observed certain gaps in some of their policies and implementation and will work to close them, saying the state created the Ministry of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises to assist and engage the youths in business for a prosperous and sustainable future for Niger State.
In their separate goodwill messages, former Minister of Sports Engr. Sani Ndanusa, former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, and the state Commissioner for SMSE, Mrs. Elizabeth Shaba, appreciated and congratulated NCCIMA for putting up the event and stressed the need for its sustainability.
They also stressed the need for collaboration between the government and the organised private sector and encouraged the youths whom they described as the future of the state, particularly those with political appointments, to engage in business and register their businesses with the state ministry of SMSE and the corporate affairs commission.
In his presentation on the theme of the event, the guest lecturer, Dr. Suleiman Ndanusa, observed that the state has abundant potential for economic growth that needs to be unlocked, adding that to unlock these potentials, the state must collaborate with key stakeholders, which included the Niger Chamber of Commerce and Civil Society Organisations (CSO).
Dr. Suleiman urged the state government to refine its policies so as to create a more enabling environment for businesses, improve transparency and access to data on private sector ventures and investment in the state, as well as support the NCCIMA initiative for capacity building and skill development among entrepreneurs for a more vibrant business ecosystem in the state.