Former Governor of
Anambra State Mr Peter Obi, on Friday in Yenagoa proffered panacea for
Nigeria and Africa to overcome its economic challenges.
Obi made the
recommendations while speaking at the ongoing 2018 African SME Round Table
Forum holding at the Azaiki Library in Yenagoa..
According to Obi, Nigeria
and Africa required huge investment in education and skill acquisition, as well
as meaningful support for Small and Medium – scale Enterprises (SMEs).
He said Nigeria must
focus on investing in education and skill acquisition in order to turn round
its economy, and drastically reduce the levels of youth unemployment.
The former Governor,
maintained that Nigeria must see education and skill acquisition as an
investment, as this would help to diversify and grow the country’ s economy.
Obi noted that from
the discussions, it was evident that there are large opportunities in Africa,
“but to achieve these, Africa requires huge investment in education and skill
acquisition.
According to him
supporting SMEs will help build a prosperous future for Nigerians and Africans
at large.
“For Africa to transit
from exporter of raw commodities to a manufacturer of finished goods, and
become a significant member of the global technological world her people must
be educated.
“For China to be one
of the best economy in the world today, is education and skill acquisition
programmes.
“Young people must
invest wisely, for them to create wealth and job for others. The problem of
Africa depends on the youths,” he said.
In his remark, the Special
Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Mr Stephen Akake, said the SMEs
remained the engine of development as its impact affects the people directly.
He said the Bayelsa
government has created micro finance bank to help business oriented individuals
to borrow money for business at concessionary interest rates..
Akake observed that
with the support enjoyed by SMEs in Bayelsa, the sector is fast developing
Africa to be an attractive investment destination capable of attracting direct foreign
investment.
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