By Kingsley Unah
The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Engr. Akin Olateru, has advocated for an overall reform of the country’s socio-economic sectors, saying it is the key to fast racking the country’s overall development.
Olateru made this known in a keynote titled: “Breaking Barriers to National development” which he delivered at the Nigerian Service Award, organized by COA media in Abuja on Thursday.
He noted that, engaging in agribusiness by ensuring the safety of farmers, deliberate policies for jobs creation, strengthening of public services, implementation of fiscal and monetary measures, aimed at stimulating the economy and archiving quick recovery, improved work conditions for civil servants in both private and public sectors for optimal performance, crack down on corruption, among others are the ingredients required to adequately address the economic and social barriers that have hindered the nation’s development.
Speaking further, the NSIB Boss hinted that Nigeria is richly endowed with enormous natural resources that, if properly harnessed, will change the fortunes of the country
Adding, he said Nigeria has the largest economy and population in Africa which should trigger rapid human and infrastructural development but the reverse is the case as 63 years after her independence, the nation still swim in the ocean of multiple socio-economic barriers fully manifested in the low and fragile economic growth, poor infrastructure, poor electricity/energy supply, deficiency in foreign exchange rate and capital flights.
This he said is exacerbated by the deficiency in human capital development, poverty, insecurity, illiteracy, unemployment, all manner of social vices among others.
He started further that the socio-economic crises of the country has also necessitated many Nigerians to continue to emigrate or japa as it has come to be known in search of greener pastures in other countries of the world that has resulted in grave consequences like a massive drain of the best brains out of the country.
On the day, Olateru was honoured with the Most Outstanding Public Servant of The Year Award for 2023 for his transformative mandate at NSIB.