Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has charged President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and other captains of industry to make efforts to help Nigeria come out of the current economic recession.

The speaker said this in Benin City, Edo State, on Saturday at the Governor's Ball held in honour of Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to celebrate his inauguration.

Dogara, made the call in the presence of many heads of industries and players in the financial sector, Aliko Dangote and AIG Imoukhuede among others.

Expressing confidence in this group of people to make the necessary impact needed to reengineer the economy, he appealed to them to put their heads together to tame the recession.

Speaking on the new government in Edo State, Dogara said judging from past performances, he is positive that Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu, have all it takes to deliver growth and development to Edo people.

He said: “I had come in contact with the governor when I was serving in the House of Representatives, specifically, on the House Committee on Capital Market. He made appearances before that committee and I can attest to the fact that I knew him to be a man that is very deep. And so, when I heard that the people of Edo State identified him as one of the shining stars that will take over from the governor that by popular consensus, performed credibly well, I knew that they had made a good choice.

“I will say that with our brother, who is his deputy, a man who cut his teeth early in student union activism, who is an activist, a Comrade, I am sure that has better positioned you to pilot the affairs of this state to the required destination.

“I believe beyond reasonable doubt, that together, you will achieve a lot for Edo State, what has not been possible.”

The speaker further told the new governor and his deputy that, “they have no excuse but to hit the ground running. And I believe because the governor who just handed over, like I said, distinguished himself while serving here, they will have no excuse not to build or surpass on the activities or achievements that he made while he was governor. The only thing that will stop them is excuses and I believe that the future of democracy, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, belong to those who will excuse the excuses of others but not theirs.”

•Photo shows Speaker Dogara.

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