Nigeria’s Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo has described the construction of a rail line from Lagos to Kano as the smartest economic decision Britain made as colonial masters.
Osinbajo noted that Lagos and Kano were commercial centres long before the amalgamation of Nigeria. “Long before Nigeria existed as we know it today, both cities existed as important regional centres of trade and commerce.
“It is a given that they will continue well into the future, increasingly gaining clout and influence,” he noted.
Osinbajo who spoke at the opening of the joint Lagos-Kano Economic Investment Summit themed “States Partnership as a Tool for Sustainable Economic Development” in Epe, Lagos stressed that Buhari’s government is commited to helping State Governments achieve full potential.
“On our part, the Federal Government will support the efforts of all State Governments to reform their economies, attract investment, and collaborate with one another.
“The days when the Federal Government would seek to undermine Governors and their administrations are now well behind us.
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“The State Governors would be the first to attest to the fact that President Buhari is deeply committed to helping every State in Nigeria achieve its full economic potential.”
“With the opening up of national borders across West Africa and even the entire continent, there will be even more room for both cities to assert themselves economically; to seize rapidly emerging opportunities, to ride waves of investment and innovation to become truly globally competitive, and to show the way to the rest of Nigeria.
He noted that Lagos and Kano have proved that the federal system of government Nigeria operates can thrive. “Lagos and Kano have also proved that the Federal system we operate, which to some extent, guarantees the autonomy of States is not necessarily meant to make the States islands unto themselves, but also to strengthen our corporate and National commercial appeal.
“Both States are the frontline States in the ease of doing business reforms being implemented by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which I have the privilege of chairing,” he Not only are both States key members of the Council, they have also demonstrated remarkable support and collaboration, since the reforms started.
By working together, we have achieved reforms in the processes around the issuance of construction permits, and the registration of property.
On account of these reforms and others we were last year adjudged by the World Bank as one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world.
In attendance at the summit were Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos and his Kano counterpart, Abdullahi Ganduje.
