Alake counsels FG on how to revamp economy

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By Femi Shodunke

NIGERIA: THE Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has suggested ways out of the current economic downturn in the country.

Oba Gbadebo, who stated that banning foreign goods and services are mere temporary measures, counselled government to focus on long term solution.

The royal father, who was addressing participants at the 8^th Industry, Trade and Investment Summit, led by the Minister of Industry and Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelama, who paid him courtesy call, said that the nation’s economic experts should work harder to promote agro-allied industries and entrepreneurship among the grassroots and middle class.

Alake further explained that other measure is to fight corruption both in the public and private sectors of the economy, a release signed by the Aare Ba’aroyin of Egbaland and Media Adviser to the royal father, Olootu Layi Labode, and made available to GatewayMail, said.

Others on the team who were at the Ake, Abeokuta palace included the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar; Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Sen. Sam Egwu; Chairman, House Committee on Industry, Hon. Moriki; and Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Hon. Silvester Ogbaga.

Also there were Hon. Solomon Maren, Member, House Committee on Commerce; Hon. Mikky Kazzim, member, House Committee on Industry, commissioners of Commerce, Industry, Trade and Investment from the six geo-political zones, directors-general and chief executive officers of parastatals.
Alake, however, cautioned that trading blames on the country’s economic downtrend has been diverting attention from the short and long term solutions.

He called on the nation’s economic handlers to live up to expectations by stopping blame game on who and what was responsible for the economic decline.
Oba Gbadebo stated that it was worrisome that Nigeria could not feed herself and West African neighbors 56 years after independence, saying that it was sad and shameful.

The royal father said that it was instructive that Singapore and other so-called Asian tigers did not have many economic experts like Nigeria in terms of number and expertise, yet these Third World countries are far ahead of the country in making life worth living for their citizens.

He advised the participants to take advantage of the summit to get the citizens out of hunger and depression.

Earlier, Enelama had congratulated the state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Alake and the people of the state on the infrastructural development of the state in the past years.
The Minister assured Oba Gbadebo and Nigerians in general that the summit would come up with practical and realistic solutions that would put the country on the fast road to economic well-being of all Nigerians.