Business
FG Assures Enabling Environment For Economic Growth
Chief Economic Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Nwanze Okidegbe, says the Federal Government would create the enabling environment to ensure economic growth in the country.
He made the disclosure during an interview with The Tide source Washington DC.
“The economic management implementation team and the overall economic working team have been working hard to create the enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” Okidegbe said.
He pointed out that private sector growth is one of the best ways to achieve the present transformation agenda of inclusive growth.
Okidegbe noted that most of the investors looking towards doing business in Nigeria are interested in seeing that most of the hurdles that impede their businesses were removed.
He said that government would therefore ensure that every hurdle was cleared, saying “without good enabling environment, no investor will come to Nigeria”.
Commenting on the 6.6 per cent economic growth for Nigeria, projected by the Economic World Outlook for 2012, the presidential adviser said it was a positive indication.
“The most important thing for Nigerian economic growth is to make sure that it affects the lives of ordinary Nigerians and create jobs,” he said.
Okidegbe disclosed that while Angola and South Africa seem to be projected higher than Nigeria, government would continue to explore all avenues that would drive the economy.
“Inclusive growth is our major focus now. We need to create jobs for our youths,’’ he said.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.