A professor of Economics at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Muhammed Muttaka Usman, lambasted the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Adebayo Olawale Edun, for not attending Daily Trust Dialogue Thursday.
Edun, who was among eminent personalities invited to the dialogue to analyse the various reforms being undertaken by the present administration, was not present at the event. He did not send a representative either.
Professor Usman said it was sad that a cabinet minister like Edun, who was supposed to be part of an important gathering to discuss the affairs and issues in the government he is part of could fail to attend without an apology.
“It is very embarrassing that you invited a minister to come and showcase, not even an apology that I am not coming. We are Nigerians, he has to respond to our needs,” he said.
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On the issue of the economy, Prof. Usman said: “The previous government and the present government, their issue is like getting the indices right. Numbers are right, but in economics, when numbers don’t speak to reality, they are nonsense.
“Therefore, for an economy to develop, it is not by the people outside, it is the people from inside that chart a way for the economy to develop. Economies everywhere in the world are developed by production, and production is a function of capital; you have to invest.
“The policies you are putting up are shrinking the capital; you are increasing tax, how can the economy develop and invest in production? That is the fundamental thing we are talking about. There is nothing like development partners. You have to develop your economy yourself. When you talk about agriculture production, we are just off the season, but the prices are higher than where they were.
“Nigeria has a situation where it is being guided by saying that they have 7% economic growth annually. But the growth is not inclusive. People are dying of hunger, people are dying of unemployment and you are saying the indices are good.”
