Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for the prioritisation of technological and innovative advancement. The governor, represented by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, emphasised the role of creative thinkers and planners in driving growth and development.
He said this at the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria (ISMN) 2022 yearly conference and general meeting, themed, ‘Envisioning a New Aspiration for Nigeria in Lagos’.
He said that the efforts of some creative thinkers, who were at the helm of affairs of the state about 20 years ago, made Lagos a stronger state.
Sanwo-Olu said that the state’s internally-generated revenue had grown to N45 billion due to creative thinking, planning and can-do spirit.
He added that creative thinking and planning have turned the bar beach scenario, where houses were submerged some years back, into the Atlantic City.
President/Chairman-in-Council, ISMN, Alex Enebeli, said that the conference aimed to x-ray the economy and leadership of Nigeria and to awaken people to the realities of the present time and strategies for a better future.
“To have a new Nigeria, we need to get it right, take hard decisions about leadership, agriculture, institutions, economy and security, all of which rise and fall on leadership,” he said.
Speaking on ‘Transforming Economic Potential into Sustainable Growth and Development, President, Garden City Premier Business School, Silva Opuala-Charles, said Nigeria must be transformed into a producing economy to create sustainable wealth.
He noted that Nigeria is the only OPEC member that imports 95 per cent of crude oil products for domestic use. He called on the government to provide legal backing to development plans/projects and promote rule of law to attract import substitution-driven industries.
He also called for digitalisation of revenue collection to ensure convergence on a global benchmark of Revenue/GDP ratio of 20 per cent, adding the need to build strong, independent institutions that would be devoid of influence and manipulations.
Speakers at the conference believed that Nigeria needs leaders who would create wealth, grow the raw materials sector and eradicate poverty.
More than 100 people were inducted as full ISMN members, associate members, honorary fellows and citation fellows at the event.
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