RECESSION: Leaders Must Rise Above Personal Interests, Counsels Ambode
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday said that Nigeria’s present economic situation urgently required its elected leaders to rise above personal differences and interests with a common unity of purpose and deliver good governance to the people who they represent.
This is as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed fears that country may not get out recession soon, noting that "with about five months salaries being owed workers in about 27 out of the 36 states of the Federation and with gratuity of 19 years of retired civil servants not yet paid and with the current high cost of living, especially to the common man in the country, Nigeria will need to do more to get out of this recession."
Ambode who spoke at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the Executive/Legislative Retreat at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, said the recession taking its toll on Nigerians was a wakeup call for Nigeria leaders to come together for the purpose of rescuing the nation.
On the theme of the retreat, “Good Governance in a Recession”, Ambode said the economic downturn was no respecter of tribe or religion, neither does it discriminate along political party lines, hence, every Nigerian was feeling the impact.
He said the retreat, which had brought together members of the Executive and the Legislature from the State and Federal level from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a statement of fact that the people come first in Lagos.
The Governor said, “Our people demand, and request from us, good governance, leadership and hope at a critical time like this in our nation. We must therefore rise above our personal differences and interests, with a common unity of purpose; staying focused on our promises and manifesto at all times.
“If our economy must grow, it must also have the mindset and culture to want to grow. It is therefore left for all of us to learn to emphasise the people and de-emphasise the power to get good results. Getting good results requires that we abide by the principles of good governance; whether we are in or out of any economic recession.