As the bitter feelings and contentions that trailed the 2019 general elections begin to wane, Chairman Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu on Friday, appealed to Nigerians, especially the political class, to put the elections behind and concentrate on the real issues of development.
Elumelu, speaking after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, on Friday, the country needs to move forward as a team.
“ 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”
The Philanthropist said his foundation, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, will continue to support the people through the $5,000 grant to create a more prosperous society.
Speaking on the International Monetary Fund IMF’s advice on taking loans from China by developing country, Elumelu challenged the IMF to “ provide alternatives” adding that “ nature abhors vacuum”
“ My position is that nature abhors vacuum, if you do not want Nigeria to take China loan, provide the alternative.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had on Thursday cautioned developing nations, including Nigeria against taking loans from China over what they see as “unfavorable loan conditions”
“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.”
Elumelu who had initiated several programs to empower Africa Youths through his entrepreneurial empowerment drive, disclosed that “one of the surest way to eradicate poverty is to ensure that our youths are gainfully employed through entrepreneurship”
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.
“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 vacuum”
He charged the federal government to remain focused, adding that government should improve on infrastructure and power generation
“ 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 compliment 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.” he said
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
