Prof Gwarzo supports PRNigeria’s books as Pantami advocates diversified economy

The Founder of the Canadian University of Nigeria, Abuja, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo has supported two new books published by the Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) with monetary donations.

The books are “Pantami: The Trials and Triumphs of a Digital Economy Maestro” by Yushau Shuaib (PRNigeria publisher) and “eNaira Revolution: A Peep into Nigeria’s Cashless Future” by Abdulrahman Abdulraheem (Economic Confidential editor).

Gwarzo, also the Founder of Maryam Abacha American University and Franco-British International University, was represented at the Economic Confidential Lecture by Dr Abdullahi Sufi, Director of Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo (AAG) Foundation.

Gwarzo commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami for revolutionizing the digital economy leading to the ICT sector now contributing the highest GDP.

At the maiden lecture and book presentation themed “Economic Diversification in an Evolving Cashless Society”, experts advocated a diversified financial system.

Pantami emphasized the need for Nigeria to build a knowledge-based economy, adding that such can only be realized through policies that will further boost ICT.

The minister said the United States, China, Japan, Germany and India – with a combined GDP of $ 100 trillion – leveraged their natural resources to build economies strengthened by huge technological investments.

Pantami disclosed that Nigeria is one of the African countries participating in the fourth industrial revolution, urging the government to move away from its reliance on oil and other natural resources.

“A knowledge-based economy will create jobs, reduce poverty and improve economic competitiveness. It is imperative to invest in digital infrastructure, improve digital literacy, and support innovation and entrepreneurship,” he added.

Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu advised the government to stop running a mono-economy, observing other nations no longer depend on oil.

“We cannot continue relying on crude oil. Nigeria now gets most of its money from taxes, customs and other non-oil sources as the NNPC contributes below 5 per cent of what is shared across the federation,” he said.

In his review of the book on Pantami, Daily Nigerian publisher, Jaafar Jaafar hailed the minister for his contribution to economic development, describing the topics as “interesting, intriguing and seemingly controversial”.