NES President To Be Made Honourary Presidential Adviser

Source: THEWILL. - thewillnigeria.com
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN.
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN.

ABUJA, June 01, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is to appoint the President of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) as an Honourary Adviser on Economic Matters and also co-opt the NES chief executive into the National Economic Management Team when it is constituted soon.

President Jonathan said this will be an enduring tradition to enable the economic body interface regularly with government towards national economic transformation.

He stated these today during a consultative meeting with the executive council of the body led by its President, Dr. Kenneth Adeyemi, in State House, Abuja.

President Jonathan described the Nigerian Economic Society as a strategic professional body with ultimate competence on economic issues, and that his administration will regularly draw from its well of knowledge on critical economic issues in the drive towards actualizing national economic transformation.

According to the President, “there is no other group that should be more competent to comment on economic issues than the Nigerian Economic Society because the body comprises of competent professionals on economic matters.”

He said government will henceforth hold unfettered interactions with NES in a bid to filter economic policies and ascertain their feasibility on national economy. He also enjoined the body to work closely with the Chief Economic Adviser to the President in proffering useful advice to government from time to time on the economy.

Responding, Dr. Adeyemi, thanked President Jonathan for the high recognition accorded the Society which has been in existence since 1957, while pledging its commitment to constantly advice and partner with the Jonathan administration towards achieving its economic transformation agenda.

“We fully align with your economic transformation agenda and agree with you that the time for transformation and not lamentation is here and now,” Adeyemi told Mr. President.

He listed the revitalization of the national planning process as a major component of national development as well as strict adherence to constitutionally stipulated budgetary calendar, among measures to promote economic growth.