BY: RAYMOND EJIMKONYE
President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria’s prosperity is in few hands, saying such few persons are living in four or five States and the Federal capital Territory, FCT.
He said in the remaining 31 States, about 150 million people are waiting for better opportunities to thrive.
The President made this revelation at the opening of the 25th Nigeria Economic Summit held in Abuja on Monday.
He said his administration understood the need for Nigerians to have a better lifestyle, stating that measures have been put in place to reduce poverty and the level of unemployment.
“Today, many mistake prosperity with wealth. They are not necessarily the same.
“Experts and analysts explain economic trends by making references to indicators of wealth.
“Wealth, however, in it’s simplistic form, is money or other assets.
“In recent years, global events have shown that when a society and it’s leaders are driven and motivated by these alone, the ultimate outcome is a divided state of severe inequalities.
“But a monstrous society is one where majority of its citizens have an acceptable standard of living and a decent quality of life.
He spoke on the nation’s growing population, saying in addressing population growth, security and corruption matters in developing countries, policies and programmes must focus on promoting inclusivity and collective prosperity.
“Nigeria is a country with close to 200 million people living in 36 States and the FCT.
“A significant proportion of Nigeria’s prosperity today is concentrated in the hands of a few people living primarily in four or five States and the FCT. Some of the most prosperous Nigerians are here in this room.
” This leaves the remaining States with close to 150 million people in a state of expectancy and hope for better opportunity to thrive. This, in the most basic form, drives the migratory and security trends we are seeing today both in Nigeria and across the region” he added.