Nigeria’s Development Plan Has To Be Dynamic – Osinbajo

Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has come out to say that the country must evolve a national development plan strong enough to adapt to swiftly changing national and international conditions.

He recently revealed this in a keynote address delivered virtually at the 19th meeting of the National Council on Development Planning with theme “National Development Planning in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges.”

According to him, such a plan is key in order to bring about society and economy that works for all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

He added that the plan, among other things, must also promote economic diversification, be modern, ambitious, realistic and flexible.

His words, “It is generally agreed that the primary purpose of planning in our economy is to accelerate growth and development outcomes that will improve the lives of Nigerians.”

“To be meaningful, our planning processes must lead to tangible outcomes in the form of growth that exceeds population growth. Indeed, our plans must bring about an economy and society that works for all Nigerians.”

“This point is readily understood if we recall that the strength of feelings on issues like the national minimum wage or indeed the deregulation of PMS prices is related to their expected impact on the poor segments of society.”

“It is accordingly important when drawing up national plans to take account of the interests of the more vulnerable members of society. This is why social investment and social protection are at the heart of the Buhari Administration’s policy interventions.”

“Indeed, top of mind for Mr President is how to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in this decade as we radically re-engineer the productive base of our economy in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and the digital and creative sectors.”

“They must promote coordination among the various tiers of government as well as coordination between ministries, departments and agencies at all levels.”

“Our plans must also be modern and ambitious and yet realistic and flexible enough to absorb shocks and adapt to swiftly changing domestic and international conditions.”

“Our plans must accelerate domestic resource mobilization and build capacities for planning, implementation and must create the best possible environment for the private sector to invest and operate.”

“I also understand the fears of the people because this vaccine is foreign so people are afraid. If anything to go by and the Africa government are listening, is basically that people in Africa are telling them that they don’t have confidence in the vaccine that is coming from outside Africa. And the message is that fund vaccine that will emanate from Africa. I can tell you that Africans will be more comfortable if they hear that the vaccine emanated from Africa. I hope our government will listen to the masses.”

“The people are telling our leaders that they are tired of using imported things. Imported vaccines among other things am not against the fact that they are good but the message is that we will trust vaccine made in Africa by our researchers more than what is coming from outside.”

“That is why you are seeing vaccine resistance and apathy. People want to see what is made by their people so that they will be very comfortable using it.”

“Covid-19 is real, people should take necessary precautions if we did not respect the safety rules it will be difficult to get rid of this disease even if the vaccine is given out. Even with the availability of the vaccine, people should continue to protect themselves.”