BY KENNETH EZE
President Muhammadu Buhari has encouraged the new board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority to focus on economic diversification, knowing that emerging global economic order does favour crude oil like before.
The President gave the charge while inaugurating the 9-man board, the third since the inception of the NSIA, Wednesday in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President pointed out that the appointment of the 9-man board as a call to duty, action and performance.
The President said, ‘‘This Government operates on the agenda for long term change which we all agree is inevitable. Change happens whether you are ready for it or not.
‘‘As representatives of the Federation, you are required to continue to drive the performance of the Authority to deliver benefits to all Nigerians.
‘‘You must bear in mind that the National Economic Council, your Governing Council and Nigerians as a whole will hold you accountable for this mandate.
‘‘Periodically, you will be required to provide evidence of your stewardship at the Governing Council Meetings where your performance will be assessed.
‘‘The bar before you is very high and all of us are counting on you to deliver. If you do, I assure you that Government and indeed all Nigerians will be unflinching in their support for you.’’
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, pointed out that from the base position of US$1billion when the Buhari administration assumed office in 2015, NSIA now has around US$3.5billion in assets under management.
She explained that the Board would, on behalf of the Nigerian people, guide and oversee the NSIA Management’s activities towards delivering outcomes to transform the economic fortunes of the country.
‘‘Using the NSIA Act as its guide, the Board will be required to superintend initiatives that meet the current and future needs of Nigerians.
‘‘On our part as Government, we will continue to support the Authority with the necessary policies and framework to ensure that the mission of the institution is delivered in a transparent, sustainable and inclusive manner,’’ Ahmed said.
The President reminded the incoming board that the NSIA, was conceived as one of Nigeria’s premier economic institutions, meant to be a store of wealth which might be drawn upon at times of economic challenges thereby encouraging external investors and lenders.
He expressed delight that so far the institution had discharged its mandate dutifully.
‘‘This is why we prioritised the appointment of a new Board to ensure that the Authority does not lose steam and can continue to benefit from the oversight it needs to deliver on its mandate.
‘‘The new Board we assembled has a crop of seasoned, eminently qualified, and experienced professionals.
‘‘We expect these individuals to bring their wealth of experience to bear, in the next phase of NSIA’s journey,’’ he added.
He used the occasion to thank the last Board whose tenure ended in May 2021.
While acknowledging their commitment, dedication and contributions to the implementation of the objectives of the Authority, the President said, ‘‘This distinguished group of patriotic Nigerians heeded the call to serve and deployed the best of their abilities to oversee the affairs of the Authority on behalf of the nation over the last four years.”
The President added that the immediate past Board, ‘‘guided the organisation through a critical stage of its existence and have left it standing as a credible world class institution that turns out consistently good results.
‘‘This Administration took the very difficult decision to invest for the long term. We avoided taking short cuts knowing very well that the full impact of most of the projects we started will only be felt long after we have left office.
‘‘Accordingly, in the past four years, both the public and private sectors in Nigeria have partnered on strategic projects with the NSIA.
‘‘On the public sector partnership, we are working with the NSIA on strategic infrastructure projects such as the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos – Ibadan Express Way and the Abuja – Kano Road, to mention a few.
‘‘On the private sector collaborations, we have projects such as the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative and the NSIA Healthcare Development and Investment Company amongst many.
‘‘Although these projects and programs have immediately created jobs from a development standpoint, the wider impact on society will only be felt in years to come.’’
The new Board members are Farouk Mohammed Gumel (North West) as Non-Executive Chairman; Sir Babatunde Sobamowo (South West), Non-Executive Director; Isiekwena Ikemefuna Louis (South South), Non-Executive Director; Ali Goni Kadugum (North East), Non-Executive Director; Oniyangi Kabir Sulaiman (North Central), Non-Executive Director; and Ike Chioke (South East), Non-Executive Director.
