Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has urged lottery operators in Nigeria to be transparent in their operations to attract more patrons to the industry.
Ikpeazu gave the advice in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, at a lottery business forum, tagged “Diversification Agenda of the Federal Government: Lottery an alternative to the oil industry”, organized by the Imo/Abia office of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).
Represented at the forum by Greg Esotu, his special adviser on Small and Medium Enterprises, Ikpeazu observed that a vibrant lottery industry can pull Nigeria out of recession and promised to support the NLRC to succeed in the State.
He thanked the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA) for partnering with the NLRC to sensitize Abians on the potentials of lottery in economic development, and advised the NLRC to monitor what the operators are doing, to ensure that the State and Federal Governments get taxes from winners.
Adolphus Joe Ekpe, director general, NLRC, described the theme of the forum appropriate, saying that diversification of national economy has become an alternative to reviving the ailing economy.
He stated that the current administration in Nigeria is desirous, sincere and committed in its efforts to archiving sustainable development, through diversification of the economy, noting that the nation can no longer limit its economic contributors to a single commodity (crude oil) alone and ignore other viable alternatives.
Ekpe, who was represented at the forum by Emmanuel Jeminiwa, director, Regulatory and Monitoring, NLRC , described lottery as an economic activity that relies greatly on human population and purchasing power, which Nigeria has enormous potentials, but regretted that it is yet to be tapped for the diversification of the economy, growth and development of the country.
Lottery according to him, can be played as an income activity but more importantly as a “civic duty”.
“Lottery when played as civic duty can contribute significantly in the development of Nigeria, through the implementation of good cause projects (infrastructural development, employment creation and wealth distribution.
He explained that lottery is not gambling, stressing that Lottery is a win-win game, while gambling is a win-lose game. Even when a player fails to win a prize, he/she wins the satisfaction of contributing to the Lottery Trust Fund for onward application to good causes.
He urged the State Government and Local Government Area transition chairmen in the State to fully cooperate with licensed operators to ensure unhindered business operation in the State.
Anagam Ononuju, coordinator, NLRC, Imo/Abia, explained that the event was organized to sensitize the Abia State citizenry of the new window of investment opportunity, through lottery.
She stated that the national assembly enacted the national lottery Act of 2005 to promote transparency, integrity, credibility, equity and accountability in the conduct of lottery business and related activities in Nigeria.
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