Ministers Speech Opening Address at the Inauguration of the Central Working Group of Nigeria’s Vision 2020 (V2020)

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Sunday, May 26, 2013

The President
	Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR

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	Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman, National Planning Commission, Arc. Namadi Mohammed Sambo, GCON

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	Federal Republic of Nigeria and Deputy Chairman NPC Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman CON ( Speeches ) More info >>

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Ministers Speech

Opening Address at the Inauguration of the Central Working Group of Nigeria’s Vision 2020 (V2020)
Opening Address at the Inauguration of the Central Working Group of Nigeria’s Vision 2020 (V2020) By Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman OFR The Honorable Minister/ Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission August 10, 2009 Protocols It is my pleasure to address this distinguished gathering at this inaugural session of the Central Working Group on Nigeria’s Vision 2020. Looking back over the last five months of intensive work to produce the Vision 2020 blueprint, I cannot but express my sincere gratitude to the almost 1000 Nigerians of various ages, gender, political, academic and other backgrounds, that have worked diligently to chart a path towards the realization of our national development goal to be among the world’s top 20 economies by 2020. The fruit of their hard work over the past five months is what has brought us here today. The challenge of our existence as a developing country, aspiring to developed country status, requires that we stir up the kind of self-confidence, dedication and energy that allow us to dream, to plan, to strategize and to take every step to realize them. Since I inaugurated the National Technical Working Groups (NTWG’s), one for each of the 29 thematic areas, in April this year, they have completed six highly strategic and intellectual sessions. All of the 29 NTWGs have submitted their reports. In keeping with the key principles underlying our vision 2020 strategy, that sustainable development can only be anchored on national inclusiveness, ownership and direction, we have over the last five months, engaged about 12 special interest groups (SIGs) and analyzed over 80 memoranda from the public. We have also set up Stakeholder Development Committees (SDCs) and challenged all States and the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to articulate their vision for Nigeria 2020, in line with agreed templates. We have also recently, inaugurated a Macroeconomic Framework Group on Vision 2020. Today’s inauguration is yet another crucial stage in the roadmap for the Vision. Ladies and gentlemen here present, as members of the Central Working Group on Vision 2020, your task is an arduous and daunting one. Within a few short weeks, you are expected to harmonize the various of inputs from the 29 technical working groups, over 80 public memoranda, inputs from the 12 Special Interest Groups and contributions from several Stakeholder Development Committees from the States and MDAs into a consistent, and viable, perspective, national development plan, that will define a clear and realistic path to the realisation of our vision to be one of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020. Specifically, the Central Working Group will be responsible for developing the preliminary draft of the NV2020 blueprint, in line with the three broad change themes proposed for the final blueprint report as follows: 1. Guaranteeing the productivity and wellbeing of our people. 2. Optimizing our key sources of economic growth 3. Fostering sustainable social and economic development In composing the Central Working Group, we have, again, cast our net far and wide. We deliberated extensively and carefully to ensure that, as much as possible, we captured and selected the best subject matter experts in their fields for the enormous task at hand. The membership of the Central Working Group has been drawn from the private and public sectors, giving cognizance to the members’ previous commitment to national service and experience in national development planning. We have, furthermore, divided the CWG into 3 sub-groups, in line with the 3 broad themes mentioned earlier. The first sub-group, which will handle the theme “Guaranteeing the productivity and well being of our people” will, in addition to agreeing the scope of its sub-group, also be responsible for: · Reviewing, understanding and validating all relevant NTWGs, SDCs, SIGs and public memoranda reports, with a view to identifying and extracting the opportunities for development, the root causes of and issues and challenges constraining growth and development, the key strategic imperatives and other useful information, as input into the first draft of the NV2020 blueprint. · Reviewing other relevant reports, which will provide complimentary information on the current status of human development for Nigeria and the strategic imperatives for Nigeria in attaining our NV 2020 aspirations. · Developing the assigned section of the first draft of the NV2020 blueprint, using the agreed report outline. · Incorporating the agreed assumptions, projections and analysis of the macroeconomic framework in the development of the blueprint. · Working with the technical report writers, subject matter experts and coordinating consultants throughout the process of developing the assigned section of the NV2020 economic transformation blueprint. The second sub-group, under the theme “Optimizing our key sources of economic growth” will be responsible for: · Reviewing and attaining a good understanding of the macroeconomic framework, with a view to identifying the relevant aspects of the macroeconomic framework that should be reflected in the NV2020 blueprint. · Clarifying the scope of the sub-group by validating the study on the key growth drivers of the economy for the planning period (2010-2020). · Reviewing all the relevant NTWGs, SDCs, SIGs, public memoranda and other relevant reports, with a view to identifying and extracting all useful information as input into the first draft of the NV2020 blueprint. · Developing the assigned section of the first draft of the NV2020 economic blueprint using the provided report outline. · Working with the technical report writers, subject matter experts and coordinating consultants throughout the process of developing the assigned section of the NV2020 economic transformation blueprint. The third sub group, under the theme “Fostering sustainable social and economic development” will be responsible for: · Incorporating the agreed assumptions, projections and analysis of the macroeconomic framework in the development of the blueprint. · Developing the assigned section of the first draft of the NV2020 economic blueprint using the agreed report format. · Reviewing all relevant NTWGs, SDCs, SIGs, public memoranda and other relevant, reports, with a view to identifying and extracting all useful information as input into the first draft of the NV2020 blueprint. · Reviewing all other relevant reports which will provide complementary information on the current status of social and economic development in Nigeria and the strategic imperatives for Nigeria in attaining the Vision 2020 intent. The CWG will be headed by a Chairman, whose responsibility will be to provide overall leadership for the sub themes identified earlier. I am very happy to acknowledge the patriotism, dedication and sacrifice demonstrated by Justice Alfa Belgore, Retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, not only in chairing the NTWG on the Judiciary and Rule of Law, but also in accepting to be the Chairman of the CWG that we are launching today. To support the chairmen, we have the overall coordinator who will help to coordinate the work of the 3-coordinators, one for each of the sub groups. The meetings of each sub group within the CWG will be presided over by the coordinator of the sub group, whose role will principally be to lead and chair the meetings of each sub-group and function as a content manager for the sub-groups report. Each sub-group will also have a technical report writer to assist in capturing the thoughts and deliberations of the group and transcribing it into the blueprint report. In closing let me at this juncture thank you all for responding to this call to national service and assure you of this Administration’s determination to see this program through from articulation to implementation to realization. When Goldman Sachs released its report in 2005, stating that Nigeria could become one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2025, and when President Obasanjo and subsequently, President Yar’Adua, subscribed to achieving the vision by 2020, it was, understandably greeted with a lot of skepticism. In our national history, which has been fraught with so many contradictions and paradoxes, where a large percentage of our people live in poverty amidst plenty and struggle with daily living, such pessimism and skepticism can be understandable. But we must not allow them to weigh us down, to drown us and take away from the effort and commitment that are needed to not only make up for our missed opportunities, but also chart a new and better future for children and future generations of Nigerians. We are confident in our resolve and commitment and in the resolve and desire of Mr. President, Umaru Musa Yar’adua to transform Nigeria. Our confidence also lies in the widespread commitment and optimism that has been shown by many Nigerians, such as yourselves, in this program. Your patriotism and commitment to our country are inspiring. As you deliberate, you should always envision a glorious and prosperous Nigeria that is among the top 20 economies in the world and has taken her rightful place in the comity of nations. This government is very hopeful and committed we should achieve that by 2020. This hope is buttressed by the commitment of such eminent Nigerians like you that we can, together build a better Nigeria and turn this great Nation of ours into a greater force for good on the African continent and in the world. On this note, it is my singular honor and pleasure to formally inaugurate the Central Working Group on Vision 2020 and wish you happy deliberations. Thank you for listening Opening Address at the Inauguration of the Central Working Group of Nigeria’s Vision 2020 (V2020) By Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman OFR The Honorable Minister/ Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission August 10, 2009 Protocols It is my pleasure to address this distinguished gathering at this inaugural session of the Central Working Group on Nigeria’s Vision 2020. Looking back over the last five months of intensive work to produce the Vision 2020 blueprint, I cannot but express my sincere gratitude to the almost 1000 Nigerians of various ages, gender, political, academic and other backgrounds, that have worked diligently to chart a path towards the realization of our national development goal to be among the world’s top 20 economies by 2020. The fruit of their hard work over the past five months is what has brought us here today. The challenge of our existence as a developing country, aspiring to developed country status, requires that we stir up the kind of self-confidence, dedication and energy that allow us to dream, to plan, to strategize and to take every step to realize them. Since I inaugurated the National Technical Working Groups (NTWG’s), one for each of the 29 thematic areas, in April this year, they have completed six highly strategic and intellectual sessions. All of the 29 NTWGs have submitted their reports. In keeping with the key principles underlying our vision 2020 strategy, that sustainable development can only be anchored on national inclusiveness, ownership and direction, we have over the last five months, engaged about 12 special interest groups (SIGs) and analyzed over 80 memoranda from the public. We have also set up Stakeholder Development Committees (SDCs) and challenged all States and the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to articulate their vision for Nigeria 2020, in line with agreed templates. We have also recently, inaugurated a Macroeconomic Framework Group on Vision 2020. Today’s inauguration is yet another crucial stage in the roadmap for the Vision. Ladies and gentlemen here present, as members of the Central Working Group on Vision 2020, your task is an arduous and daunting one. Within a few short weeks, you are expected to harmonize the various of inputs from the 29 technical working groups, over 80 public memoranda, inputs from the 12 Special Interest Groups and contributions from several Stakeholder Development Committees from the States and MDAs into a consistent, and viable, perspective, national development plan, that will define a clear and realistic path to the realisation of our vision to be one of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020. Specifically, the Central Working Group will be responsible for developing the preliminary draft of the NV2020 blueprint, in line with the three broad change themes proposed for the final blueprint report as follows: 1. Guaranteeing the productivity and wellbeing of our people. 2. Optimizing our key sources of economic growth 3. Fostering sustainable social and economic development In composing the Central Working Group, we have, again, cast our net far and wide. We deliberated extensively and carefully to ensure that, as much as possible, we captured and selected the best subject matter experts in their fields for the enormous task at hand. The membership of the Central Working Group has been drawn from the private and public sectors, giving cognizance to the members’ previous commitment to national service and experience in national development planning. We have, furthermore, divided the CWG into 3 sub-groups, in line with the 3 broad themes mentioned earlier. The first sub-group, which will handle the theme “Guaranteeing the productivity and well being of our people” will, in addition to agreeing the scope of its sub-group, also be responsible for: · Reviewing, understanding and validating all relevant NTWGs, SDCs, SIGs and public memoranda reports, with a view to identifying and extracting the opportunities for development, the root causes of and issues and challenges constraining growth and development, the key strategic imperatives and other useful information, as input into the first draft of the NV2020 blueprint. · Reviewing other relevant reports, which will provide complimentary information on the current status of human development for Nigeria and the strategic imperatives for Nigeria in attaining our NV 2020 aspirations. · Developing the assigned section of the first draft of the NV2020 blueprint, using the agreed report outline. · Incorporating the agreed assumptions, projections and analysis of the macroeconomic framework in the development of the blueprint. · Working with the technical report writers, subject matter experts and coordinating consultants throughout the process of developing the assigned section of the NV2020 economic transformation blueprint. The second sub-group, under the theme “Optimizing our key sources of economic growth” will be responsible for: · Reviewing and attaining a good understanding of the macroeconomic framework, with a view to identifying the relevant aspects of the macroeconomic framework that should be reflected in the NV2020 blueprint. · Clarifying the scope of the sub-group by validating the study on the key growth drivers of the economy for the planning period (2010-2020). · Reviewing all the relevant NTWGs, SDCs, SIGs, public memoranda and other relevant reports, with a view to identifying and extracting all useful information as input into the first draft of the NV2020 blueprint. · Developing the assigned section of the first draft of the NV2020 economic blueprint using the provided report outline. · Working with the technical report writers, subject matter experts and coordinating consultants throughout the process of developing the assigned section of the NV2020 economic transformation blueprint. The third sub group, under the theme “Fostering sustainable social and economic development” will be responsible for: · Incorporating the agreed assumptions, projections and analysis of the macroeconomic framework in the development of the blueprint. · Developing the assigned section of the first draft of the NV2020 economic blueprint using the agreed report format. · Reviewing all relevant NTWGs, SDCs, SIGs, public memoranda and other relevant, reports, with a view to identifying and extracting all useful information as input into the first draft of the NV2020 blueprint. · Reviewing all other relevant reports which will provide complementary information on the current status of social and economic development in Nigeria and the strategic imperatives for Nigeria in attaining the Vision 2020 intent. The CWG will be headed by a Chairman, whose responsibility will be to provide overall leadership for the sub themes identified earlier. I am very happy to acknowledge the patriotism, dedication and sacrifice demonstrated by Justice Alfa Belgore, Retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, not only in chairing the NTWG on the Judiciary and Rule of Law, but also in accepting to be the Chairman of the CWG that we are launching today. To support the chairmen, we have the overall coordinator who will help to coordinate the work of the 3-coordinators, one for each of the sub groups. The meetings of each sub group within the CWG will be presided over by the coordinator of the sub group, whose role will principally be to lead and chair the meetings of each sub-group and function as a content manager for the sub-groups report. Each sub-group will also have a technical report writer to assist in capturing the thoughts and deliberations of the group and transcribing it into the blueprint report. In closing let me at this juncture thank you all for responding to this call to national service and assure you of this Administration’s determination to see this program through from articulation to implementation to realization. When Goldman Sachs released its report in 2005, stating that Nigeria could become one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2025, and when President Obasanjo and subsequently, President Yar’Adua, subscribed to achieving the vision by 2020, it was, understandably greeted with a lot of skepticism. In our national history, which has been fraught with so many contradictions and paradoxes, where a large percentage of our people live in poverty amidst plenty and struggle with daily living, such pessimism and skepticism can be understandable. But we must not allow them to weigh us down, to drown us and take away from the effort and commitment that are needed to not only make up for our missed opportunities, but also chart a new and better future for children and future generations of Nigerians. We are confident in our resolve and commitment and in the resolve and desire of Mr. President, Umaru Musa Yar’adua to transform Nigeria. Our confidence also lies in the widespread commitment and optimism that has been shown by many Nigerians, such as yourselves, in this program. Your patriotism and commitment to our country are inspiring. As you deliberate, you should always envision a glorious and prosperous Nigeria that is among the top 20 economies in the world and has taken her rightful place in the comity of nations. This government is very hopeful and committed we should achieve that by 2020. This hope is buttressed by the commitment of such eminent Nigerians like you that we can, together build a better Nigeria and turn this great Nation of ours into a greater force for good on the African continent and in the world. On this note, it is my singular honor and pleasure to formally inaugurate the Central Working Group on Vision 2020 and wish you happy deliberations. Thank you for listening

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