The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said all patriotic Nigerians would like to know the plans and intentions of a future President of the country.
This, it has been established will most likely enhance the choices people make at the polls.
These assertions were made Monday in Lagos by the LCCI President, Asiwaju Michael Olawale-Cole, in his opening speech as the Chamber hosts the Presidential candidate of the opposition Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in its series Private Sector Economic Forum on the 2023 Presidential Election.
“Beyond economic management, we understand that countries rise or fall through leadership and governance.
“Nigerians have another opportunity to decide who leads them in the next four years from 2023-2027” LCCI boss stated.
Asiwaju Olawale-Cole stressed that the Nigerian economy has been inundated with a myriad of problems, among which are oil theft, an unsustainable subsidy regime, insecurity and a foreign exchange crisis.
Despite these challenges, LCCI President affirmed that the prospects and future remain bright for the Nigerian economy.
“Nigeria is the largest economy on the African continent with an output in the region of almost half a trillion dollars in nominal terms. The country is also hugely endowed with human and natural resources” Asiwaju Olawale-Cole restated.
While lamenting on the challenges bedeviling the Nigerian education sector, Asiwaju Olawale-Cole reiterated that the country needed to provide long-lasting solutions to the issue of recurring industrial disputes between the Federal Government FG and Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU).
LCCI President told Obi that Nigerians would like to know his plans on how to address many pressing issues facing the country.
While announcing that the Chamber plans to host the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu next month, Asiwaju Olawale-Cole promised that the Chamber would consider hosting other notable presidential candidates, so that it would not be accused of being biased.
LCCI President thanked the Chamber’s sponsors; including Gas Motors, Gree Air conditioners, and FAE envelopes for partnering with it to host the event.
The LP Presidential candidate was accompanied by his running mate, Pastor Benson Idahosa, erudite economist, Dr Pat. Utomi, Lagos State LP Woman Leader, Comrade Titilope Oworu, among other party’s stalwarts.
Established in 1888, LCCI has in the past 16 years been organizing the session in every election cycle.
The Forum is part of LCCI public policy advocacy, to provide a first-hand opportunity for presidential candidates of the leading political parties to speak to the organized private sector (OPS) on their economic blueprint for Nigeria.
Nigeria’s foremost economist, Dr Ayo Teriba and a former Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and multi-sectoral expert, Ronke Onadeko moderate the session.
Nigeria’s general elections hold early next year.