President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said there were signature initiatives of his administration, besides the Compressed Gas Initiative, aimed at bringing economic relief to Nigerians and boosting industrialisation and prosperity.
Tinubu gave the assurance while declaring open the 2024 All Nigeria Editors Conference in Yenagoa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 300 editors are participating in the conference aimed at finding sustainable media financing.
The three-day event has the theme: “Economic Growth and Development Strategy in Resource-Rich Country”.
It has the sub-theme “Good Practices for Viable/Sustainable Media Financing”.
The conference, the 20th edition, was organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors led by Mr Eze Anaba, the Editor of the Vanguard newspaper.
Tinubu was represented by Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, at the conference chaired by the Chairman of the ThisDay/Arise Media Group, Prince Nduka Obiagbena.
The President said that the initiatives were yielding fruits and aimed to diversify the economy.
“While oil remains a significant source of revenue for Nigeria, we are investing heavily in other sectors to diversify our economy for sustainable growth.
“The launch of the Presidential Initiative on CNG is a deliberate strategy to harness our abundant gas resources.
“This is to bring down the high cost of transportation by about 60 per cent and also foster a clean and healthy environment for our citizens.
“This initiative has unlocked close to $200 million in private sector investments in the last one year,” he said.
He gave the assurance that his administration prioritised development of roads and railways as well as upgrading of the ports to unlock economic opportunities.
Tinubu said that the infrastructure projects would not only create jobs but would also lower the cost of doing business, enhancing Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
The president said that the media industry was expected to take advantage of opportunities provided by his administration.
“You can also access funds from the Bank of Industry at a single-digit interest rate for the development and expansion of your business.
“Our goal is to ensure that the benefits of growth reach every Nigerian, especially those who have been marginalised.
“The Social Investment Programme has been retooled to ensure economic relief is provided for our most vulnerable groups systematically and transparently.
“At the last count, 25 million Nigerians received N25,000 under the Conditional Cash Transfer,” he said.
According to him, the interventions are all open and accessible, requiring only genuine need and qualification, rather than connections to government or influence.
He said that the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring that the programmes would reach those who would need them most.
“These reforms and interventions we are implementing remain the surest way to diversify our economy and promote sustainable and inclusive growth.
“We have no other option; hence, we will remain steadfast.
“As editors and media managers, your role in national development cannot be overemphasised.
“You are the custodians of public perception, the gatekeepers of information and, more importantly, the voice of the people,” he said.
Bayelsa Gov. Douye Diri said at the event that the state was happy to host the conference.
Diri solicited the support of the media in the state’s advocacy for elimination of environmental pollution occasioned by decades of oil exploration and production.
He said that the state was also grappling with perennial flooding.
The Chairman of the occasion, Obiagbena, urged editors to support Tinubu’s economic reforms.
According to him, the future will be better if the reforms are supported.
He also urged the Federal Government to adequately support the poor to survive the reforms.
According to him, if Nigeria is adequately rebuilt, it will be in a better position to compete favourably with other countries.
He called on the government to make its four refineries functional to create room for a healthy competition in petroleum products refining and sales.
He also urged support for domestic refining of petroleum products.
