The Katsina State Government is hosting the 15th regular meeting of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) in the state capital.
The meeting with the theme: “Digitisation of Industry, Trade, and Investment Sector for National Development” commenced on Monday 6th, and ended on Friday 10th November 2023.
Participants attending the meeting are mostly permanent secretaries from across the thirty-six (36) states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory Administration as well as other Stakeholders from both the Public and Private Sectors.
In her opening remarks during a technical session, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the purpose of the Council Meeting is to provide a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on key issues in the sector and evolve strategies including policies and programmes that will strengthen its performance for employment generation, wealth creation and economic development for national growth and prosperity.
The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Evelyn Ngige explained that the Council, which is chaired by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, is institutionally supported by the technical officials who meet, deliberate, and recommend policy options for its consideration.
She, therefore urged all the participants to put their best foot forward in evolving ways and means to address Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
“This session will provide our esteemed stakeholders in the industry, trade, and investment sector with the opportunity to discuss extensively the state of the sector and contribute ideas and strategies as well as share experiences that will further ensure the attainment of the present Administration’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.
“The strengthening and rebirth of the industry, trade, and investment sector is the key and sure answer to our current economic crisis in the country.
“As technical officials, the quality of our presentations and deliberations here will determine the outcome of this 15th Session of the NCITI.
“I will therefore urge us all to put our best foot forward in evolving ways and means to address our current economic challenges.
“The strengthening and rebirth of the industry, trade, and investment sector is the key and sure answer to our current economic crisis in the country.
“It is this focus that has informed this year’s theme of the Council “Digitalization of the Industry, Trade, and Investment Sector for National Development”.
“I consider this theme very appropriate at this time when we are working with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to harness the potential of the industry, trade, and investment sector for growing the national economy and creating adequate jobs for the teeming Nigerian youths.
“The goal of the present administration is to revamp the economy through well-thought-out strategies, interventions, and policies and I would like to also commend Permanent Secretaries from across the thirty-six (36) states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory Administration as well as other stakeholders from both the public and private sectors for finding time to attend this technical session.
“Your presence here today reinforces the commitment of your various state governments to use the industry, trade and investment sector as the engine of growth of the economy.
“No country can experience true and sustainable growth of its economy without developing its industry, trade and investment sector. We therefore sincerely appreciate your continuous commitment and dedication to the development of the sector.
“As we deliberate over the next few days to chart the way forward for the Industry, Trade and Investment Sector, our focus should be on candid discussions and recommendations that will evolve into strategies, best practices and collaborative approaches that will propel our nation towards a more prosperous future.
“Let me once again convey my gratitude to all participants, speakers, and collaborators as we together forge a better, brighter and greater future for Nigeria.
“A collective commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and digitally-driven future for the industry, trade, and investment sector is very crucial.
“On behalf of the Honourable Minister and the Management of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, I would like to thank the Katsina State Government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Governor Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, for accepting to host the 15th Meeting of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment who is one of our own.
“The Ministry and the Industry, Trade and Investment family are proud of you and believe in your capabilities to transform the state into an economic powerhouse in the North-West geopolitical zone of the country.
“Your stay as the Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) where you brought tremendous growth and development to the Agency is a testimony of your great vision to drive change that brings great value to the people.
*We therefore have no doubt that Katsina State will greatly benefit from your golden vision for citizen empowerment and economic development.
“You have done excellently well through your sustained participation and contributions to the attainment of the goals of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment,” she added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner of Commerce and Investment, Hon. Adnan Nahabu, represented by the outgoing Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Nura Murtala, and incoming Permanent Secretary, Rayyanatu Lawal described the meeting as a landmark history for it to happen during the tenure of Governor Dikko Radda who through the dictate of destiny, happened to be a product of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
He maintained that, Katsina has been a centre of commerce and industry for a time immemorial and has been a tran-saharan trade route even before the advent of British conquest.
“This also qualifies Katsina State to be given the hosting right for this August event which is the highest decision-making body in the area of industry, trade and investment.
“It is therefore not co-incidence giving the hosting right to Katsina State, but a clear case of putting a square peg in a square hole.
“We thank the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for identifying with His Excellency’s mission of transforming the industry, trade and investment sector of the State. There is no doubt that this is a booster for our dear State.
“We in Katsina State are proud to host the creme-de-la-creme, the who is who in the industry, trade, and investment sector”, he added.
In his remarks, the chief host and Governor of Katsina State, charged the participants to use modern technology to improve their businesses and encouraged them to also use online media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms to promote their products and services.
“We thank the Federal Government for National Policy and intervention to support states economies.
“We are implementing a series of programmes and policies towards building the future of the people. I want to finally assure you of my administration’s full support towards ensuring a conducive atmosphere for business to grow,” he assured.
