The National Economic Summit Group (NESG) has postponed this year’s National Economic Summit (NES#26) due to the ongoing #EndSARS protest across the country.
The summit was earlier scheduled to hold from October 26–27, 2020 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja with the theme: “Building Partnerships for Resilience.”
In a press statement made available to BusinessDay yesterday, the body said
after due consultation with all the stakeholders, the NES#26th had been postponed.
It said it would be insensitive and inappropriate to go on with the summit in view of the current happenings in the country.
The body pointed out that the only way to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams
was the participation and effective engagement of the youth to the development and operation of the country’s institutions.
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NESG said it would deploy its convening and engagement capabilities to serve as a platform for driving issues affecting the Nigerian youth and ensure improved collaboration between the stakeholders.
It, therefore, called that persons responsible for the dastardly act of killing innocent people as well as those that committed arson and looting be identified and prosecuted in line with the constitution.
While regretting the inconveniences the postponement might have caused it resource persons, participants, sponsors, the media, vendors, and the public, it added that a new date would be announced in due course.
The statement read thus: “Nigerian Economic Summit is a big conversation for action with the theme “Building Partnerships for Resilience” to focus on key national issues, especially as we continue to manage the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on Nigeria’s economy.
“In the past years, deliberations and outcomes of the Summit drove a national discourse but it is clear that holding this year’s Summit from October 26 – 27, 2020 without taking adequate cognizance and due consideration of recent developments across the country that have accentuated the need to amplify the voices of our youth for the reform of our institutions, and the improvement of governance, will be insensitive and inappropriate.
“It is against this background that, after due consultation between the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning as co-hosts of the Nigerian Economic Summit, the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit has been postponed.
“A new date would be announced in due course. We regret the inconveniences to resource persons, participants, sponsors, the media, vendors, and the public. We believe that this is the right thing to do at this time.
“The Board, Management and Members of NESG share the pain and anguish of the whole nation during these trying and difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the recent violence and killings perpetrated against peaceful protesters as well as to their families and loved ones.
“We implore that persons responsible for the dastardly act of killing innocent people as well as those that are committing arson and looting must be identified and prosecuted in line with the laws and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We also urge the Federal and State Governments to immediately kickstart the deep and comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security institutions because it is central to the development of our economy.
“The NESG will deploy its convening and engagement capabilities to serve as a platform for driving issues affecting the Nigerian youth and ensure improved collaboration between our stakeholders.
“Finally, the NESG wishes to state that strong and transparent institutions determine the resilience of our economy, and the effectiveness of our social justice system. The participation and effective engagement of our youth is crucial to the development and operation of our institutions. This is the only way to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.”
