Elumelu meets Buhari, urges politicians to unite for progress sake

Against the backdrop of acrimony between the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chairman Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu has appealed to Nigerian politicians to sheath their swords and work together for the sake of the country’s progress.

Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, he urged the political class to put election matters aside and concentrate on the business of building a virile country.

“The elections are over and we need to move forward as a team, as a country, so that our people will be better for it,” he said.

He said the Tony Elumelu Foundation, will continue to support the people through the $5,000 grant to create a more prosperous society.

On the International Monetary Fund (IMF’s) advice against taking loans from China by developing country, Elumelu challenged the IMF to “provide alternatives” adding that “ nature abhors a vacuum. My position is that nature abhors a vacuum, if you do not want Nigeria to take China loan, provide the alternative. “

Recall that the IMF had on Thursday cautioned developing nations, including Nigeria against taking loans from China over what they see as “unfavourable loan conditions”

Elumelu added: “Like I keep saying, they should also support the development of entrepreneurs, they should look at ways to help us eradicate poverty in a manner that is sustainable.”

The philanthropist and entrepreneur also spoke on poverty eradication, noting that “one of the surest ways to eradicate poverty is to ensure that our youths are gainfully employed through entrepreneurship”

ALSO READ: Buhari to attend CEN-SAD meeting in Chad Saturday

He also challenged the development agencies, such as the IMF, World Bank and others to help and support Nigeria to improve infrastructure, road transportation, access to electricity.

According to him, “these are things that will help us improve on security in Nigeria, things that will help us increase prosperity through employment which is the most important thing. “so, the advise is good but nature abhors a vacuum”

He advised the federal government to remain focused on the drive to improve on infrastructure and power generation, saying: “Let us just continue in what we are doing, improve on them, increase capacity.

“I operate in the power sector, we are the biggest generator of electricity in Nigeria through Transcorp power and I know first hand what effort government is doing.

“But we need to do more, we need to convert gas to power, we need to complement what is going on already in Agric space and as you know there is peace and prosperity in that sector but we need to add a little zeal to it to be able to attract investors.”