Presidential Research & Communications Unit

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has said that “there is no better time than now for the government and private sector drivers to collaborate” in view of the current global financial crisis which began in the United States.

Receiving a delegation of the Board of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in State House on Thursday October 9, the President noted that while the immediate impact of the crisis was yet be felt in the country, the time had come to find solutions to the looming dangers.

President Yar’Adua expressed confidence that government and the private sector as “equal partners in the national economy” would rise to the challenge and “chart a path to growth.”

He commended the critical role that NESG had been playing by partnering with government to ensure that key economic policies that would lead to the realization of the Vision 2020 were put in place.

The President while expressing confidence that the 14th Nigerian Economic Summit “will come up with policy directions and programmes to critically address major challenges facing Nigeria,” assured the NESG of government’s full support on national economic matters and the successful take off of the Vision 2020 structure.

The Chairman of the Board of NESG, Maxi Sam Ohuabunwa, had briefed the President on preparations for the coming 14th Nigerian Economic Summit this month, while commending President Yar’Adua for involving the private sector in the management of the nation’s economy.