Dogara charges entrepreneurs to tackle recession

The Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has urged captains of industries and entrepreneurs to help Nigeria come out of the current economic recession.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday, by Dogara’s Special Adviser, on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the statement said Dogara made the appeal in Benin, at the inaugural ball of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

It said that the ball was attended by prominent industrialists, including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

Dogara stressed the need for the entrepreneurs to put their heads together to re-engineer growth in the economy, to tame the recession.

On the new governor and his deputy, the speaker was optimistic that they would deliver on their mandate.

“Judging from past performances, I am positive that Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu, have all it takes to deliver growth and development to Edo people.

“I had come in contact with the governor, when I was serving in the House of Representatives, specifically, on the House Committee on Capital Market.

“He made appearances before that committee and I can attest to the fact that, I knew him to be a man that is very deep.

“So, when I heard that the people of Edo State identified him as one of the shining stars that will take over from the governor that by popular consensus, performed credibly well, I knew that they had made a good choice.”

“I will say that with our brother, who is his deputy, a man who cut his teeth early in student union activism, who is an activist, a comrade, I am sure that has better positioned you, to pilot the affairs of this state to the required destination.

“I believe beyond reasonable doubt, that together, you will achieve a lot for Edo State, what has not been possible,’’ Dogara said.

The speaker further told the new governor and his deputy that they had no excuse but to hit the ground running.

“And I believe because the governor who just handed over distinguished himself while serving here, they will have no excuse not to build or surpass on the activities or achievements that he made while he was governor.

“The only thing that will stop them is excuses and I believe that the future of democracy, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, belong to those who will excuse the excuses of others but not theirs,’’ Dogara said.