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Imo Citizens Brainstorm State’s Post COVID-19 Recovery on Saturday
The Imo Economic Development Initiative (IEDI), a not-for-profit, non-political think-tank has put together a brainstorming session to provide a blueprint on the way forward for the state, post COVID-19.
The session, which will be held online in the light of current realities, will hold on Saturday, July 18, 2020 by 12pm.
With the theme – Imo State post COVID-19 Recovery and Growth, participants are encouraged to join the session through the link – https://bit.ly/2O1pmgx
Expected in attendance for the session which will hold via Zoom is Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma.
IEDI is a group of prominent sons and daughters of Imo State invested in the development of the state.
Led by the Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, its membership is made up of key stakeholders in Imo State including captains of industry, eggheads from the academia, technocrats, globally renowned entrepreneurs, retired senior military and paramilitary personalities as well as other professionals of Imo origin.
In addition to Prof. Iwu, other expected participants at Saturday’s session include Hon. Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; serial digital entrepreneur and Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh; Public Health Specialist and Senior Health Economist, Dr. Francis Ukwujie; renowned economist, banker, lawyer and Harvard-bred scholar, Dr. Emeka Osuji as well as serial entrepreneur and Managing Partner, Grand Central, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, among many others.
One of the organizers, Dr. Osuji affirms that the session is a timely one, in view of the urgent need to ensure that Imo State comes out of the COVID-19 pandemic stronger.
‘‘The point that has to be noted is that the world economy has collapsed. In the same vein, the economies of nations and sub-national states have also collapsed. A recession is looming and only those who begin fast and quick to put ameliorative measures in place will survive.
‘‘This session will focus on ideas concerning how to restart economies that have been stopped. These economies including the one of Imo have been stopped, So, how do you restart them? We are going to discuss the things that are the missing link, things that are required right away to get the economy back to work.
‘‘The Imo economy is an informal economy or what you call a small and micro-enterprise economy. Usually, these are the people that are worst hit when things like these happen. So, we need to restart them and get the economy going. Quite a lot of things we need to do to retain the people in employment and create new jobs.’’
Equally important, the IEDI seeks primarily to contribute to the development of Imo State through private sector funding and leveraging on available Federal and State governments resources as well as possible ventures that would empower the people, create wealth and reduce poverty, while at the same time yielding positive fruits to promoters.
The session commences by 12pm on Saturday and participants are expected to register via the link – https://bit.ly/2O1pmgx
Bosun Tijani, minister for Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, has stated that the federal government is geared towards creating about one million technology jobs for teeming Nigerian youth.
Tijani stated this at the official opening of a solar-powered community ICT center built by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abeokuta, as part of activities marking the 38th Lisabi festival.
The minister emphasised the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to invest in the digital economy, driving inclusive growth and empowering the country’s teeming youth population.
“The president made it very clear when I came into office, that he will spend efforts and resources in creating one million technology jobs. So, for anybody that is following the development in the world today you will see that there’s no world without technology.
“There is a strong shortage of technology workforce all over the world, and while a lot of the developed countries have ageing population, and not giving birth to kids, in Nigeria, the average age is 16.9, so our young people are being projected to be the workforce of the future, not only for Nigeria.
“This center here is one of many. In the next two months, we are launching about 30 of them all over the country. This center will be properly animated and we will put resources into ensuring that there are courses for young people to come and take here.
“We are also going to ensure that there are job opportunities that we can connect them to and if anyone wants to follow, follow the three million Technical Talent Program which we have started already in the country”, he said.
He therefore charged the youth to remain focus, and not be discouraged, adding that there is massive employment opportunities in technology as there is no enough people to work in technology all over the world.
“If you ask anyone that works in technology, the entry salary is between N350,000 to N500,000. Technology pays really well, so instead of worrying about things being hard, they should take advantage of centers like this, empower themselves and go for the opportunities the world has to offer them”, he added.
Speaking earlier, Oba Adedotun Are, Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, lauded President Tinubu for approving the centre in Abeokuta, saying that this has no doubt marked another new dawn for the people of Egbaland, given rapid growth, development, and economic empowerment of the people.
National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has predicted that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) will decline as Dangote Refinery and other local refineries commence full operations.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, April 1, NIPSS Director-General Ayo Omotayo expressed optimism that fuel prices would fall once more refineries become operational.
He projected that petrol prices could drop to around N750 per litre before the end of the year with a more stable exchange rate.
“We’re looking at it coming down as low as N750 before the end of the year. And of course, foreign exchange will still drop to about 1.3 before the end of the year, and it is going to continue like that as more of our refineries come into place.
Omotayo acknowledged the current economic hardships but insisted that the policy would benefit Nigerians in the long run.Traditional Nigerian cuisine
“The gains at this time are very little, but in the long run, we will make up for whatever sacrifices we have made today as Nigerians” he stated
U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that a deal for the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations is expected to be finalized before the April 5 deadline.
U.S. President Donald Trump
The deadline, set by legislation passed in January, mandates TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets or face a nationwide ban due to national security concerns.
Multiple non-Chinese firms have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Private equity firm Blackstone is considering a minority investment, potentially joining existing non-Chinese shareholders such as Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic.
In a strategic move to facilitate the sale, Trump suggested that he might consider a reduction in tariffs on China, acknowledging that Chinese regulatory approval may be required for the deal to proceed.
The White House has been actively involved in negotiations to ensure that TikTok remains operational in the U.S. while addressing national security risks.
With TikTok’s 170 million American users watching closely, the outcome of the sale is expected to have a major impact on the social media landscape and the broader tech industry.
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