The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clem Agba has been commended over the tremendous achievements recorded by the current administration in an extraordinary period of economic uncertainty with tremendous competence and expertise.
The Global President of One Love Foundation, Chief Patrick Osagie Eholor, who gave the commendation in a statement issued today in Abuja, further hailed the ministry’s Economic Sustainability Plan which saved and created at least two million new jobs, per recent data.
Eholor, who is also known as Ultimate Equals, stressed further that, the ministry under the supervision of Zainab Ahmed and Clem Abba prevented a complete collapse and saved jobs through a well-drafted and implemented COVID-19 stimulus package.
“A lot of developmental infrastructures have been achieved in a very short period of time. The Economic Sustainability Plan saved and created at least two million new jobs, per recent data. Amid the revenue crunch, the Federal Government, according to a summary provided by Prince Clem Agba at a recent engagement, has achieved 65% completion rate in its construction/rehabilitation of nearly 4,000km Federal roads across the country. It is a government building more with less – a testament to the brilliance of its economic minders.
“It is then to President Buhari’s credit, and the country’s relief, that two thoroughbred professionals with a mind for numbers and strategic brilliance are at the helm of affairs, running the show. Tough times call for strong leadership. Ministers Zainab Ahmed and Prince Clem Agba, empowered and supported by the President, are guiding the country through an extraordinary period of economic uncertainty with uncommon competence.
“Like John Mayaki said, Before the pandemic hit and long before President Buhari took the mantle, we were already walking tight ropes and nearing the brink. The previous administration effectively frittered away a relative economic boom occasioned by historically high crude prices. There was no serious effort to diversify earnings and plan for the rainy day.’
“The then coordinating Minister of Finance and Economy who now heads the WTO, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, issued a warning that went ignored. She foresaw the looming economic quagmire and expressed concern for the fate handed to the next administration. The pandemic brought the rain and it was hard and heavy. Dismal predictions were made; some expected dead people on the streets, eliminated by the new unseen virus that afflicts and overwhelms the immune system, and the plain old one that tears apart the stomach.
“But that fate was averted. Not by chance or a stroke of luck, but through timely actions and immense sacrifice made by public health officials rallied by the Federal and sub-national governments. On the economic side, as the country shut its doors and halted trade, Ministers Zainab Ahmed and Clem Agba prevented a complete collapse and saved jobs through a well-drafted and implemented COVID-19 stimulus package.
“Prince Clem Agba especially stood out here. His steady hands and management experience, accrued from years of sterling leadership in the private sector, proved pivotal. He has long been an advocate of self-sufficiency in critical areas such as food production. It therefore may not be a wild guess to suggest that he considered the dawning reality that came with the pandemic which saw most countries hoard their national produce, as an opportunity to power national growth and greater economic independence through smart policies.
“There is still some distance to cover before it can be definitively said that we have turned the corner. More jobs need to be created and the climbing food inflation must be brought within control. The renewed fear caused by the Delta variant in the West highlights the urgency of lobbying for the quick arrival of more vaccines. But so far so good, the country has coped well – beyond even the expectations and achievements of wealthier nations. Some credit is due here, and this essayist is singling out Prince Clem Agba and his steady hands for recognition and praise.
“His performance is sensational especially in a grander stage and at a time of great national emergency.”
Eholor said with the available performance related statistics, Agba remains one of the best in President Buhari’s administration.
“Without doubt, Clem Agba is one of the best in administration. I mean one of the best in President Buhari’s cabinet. He has done well for himself, his familh and Nigeria. The people of Edo state are proud of him.” He concluded.
