The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday approved the take-off of the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This is even as NEC chairman, Vice President Kashim Shettima, re-affirmed the resolve of the Bola Tinubu administration to leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all.
All these were revealed in a statement issued after the meeting held virtually, by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.
Speaking during the meeting, VP Shettima told state governors to nominate persons to represent each geo-political zone at the zonal level and focal persons to lead the implementation of the programme in their respective states.
He assured that as the scheme becomes operational in the coming weeks, implementation across the country will be diligent, committed, and forthright.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Sen. Shettima assured that the administration will not rest on its oars until the citizens begin to bask in the opportunities they were promised, noting that it is the reason why the government is prioritizing skill acquisition and job creation.
He specifically noted that prioritizing whatever offers Nigerians a means to earn a living with dignity is part of President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda.
He said: “But two things are clear: one, we won’t ever regret paving the way for the acquisition of skills that meet the needs of the global markets; two, our actions today will shape the economic landscape of tomorrow, and so it’s incumbent upon us to ensure that we leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.
“When we empower entrepreneurs and small business owners, we unlock the potential for innovation, job creation, and economic growth. By providing access to financing, training, and mentorship programmes, we unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that lies within every Nigerian, catalysing a wave of economic prosperity that benefits us all. We cannot achieve this without inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities. This is the ladder we must offer to every disadvantaged citizen,” he said.
The VP noted that the government has “moved beyond mere deliberations to the implementation phase” and it is actively pursuing its “short-term goals en route to achieving its medium-term and long-term strategies.
“My confidence in our ability to fix our nation stems from the unity of purpose this Council has demonstrated. We have rejected binary thinking, resisted divisions, and relegated self-interest in favour of a shared vision for progress,” he added.
