By Dotun Ibiwoye

MINISTER of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah has called for partnership between the public and private sectors  to stave off economic   recession in the country.

Speaking  at the 2016 Corporate Governance Conference   organised in Lagos   by   the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), with the theme, “Competing in an Era of Economic Changes: Corporate Governance and Structural Reforms”, Enelemah said government is willing and hungry to work together with all Nigerians including private sector to get results.

According to him, the Ministry   of Industry, Trade & Investment is interested in rebuilding the   economy by   creating enabling environment for investment which has led to the inter- ministerial business enabling council chaired by vice President , Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

He said government has taken up   steps to deal with wastages , which the Minister of Finance is overseeing as well as upgrading of infrastructure to encourage investors.

Lamenting the effect of corruption in the system, the Minister said the Federal government has designed mechanisms and methods that will deal with corruption,stressing that government cannot do it without the support of Nigerians .

While extolling the efforts of  the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria in this regard, Enelamah said,   Nigerians   should not be afraid for the cleaning up of the system, since it will be beneficial to all. According to him,  Nigeria at this time needs men of integrity   that will do what is right.

“There is   need for major stakeholders to work together for better good. We have men to do that, who have all it takes to make it happen”, he added. President, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig- Imoukhuede, said since business environment differs for each country, there is need for different   rules of operation for each country.

He therefore called on each developing country to align with development goals that suit her developmental needs.

He also stressed the   need for   critical look at   the code of governance, saying   such rules should   be introduced wisely in order not to undermine their ability .

Others, who spoke at conference  chaired by Chief Olusegun Osunkeye include Mr. Oscar Onyema,, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mr. Bolaji Balogun, CEO, Chapelhill Denham Group and Mr.Opeyemi Agbaje, CEO, RTC Advisory Services Ltd.

The Conference, a yearly  initiative of The Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN),  was part of the society’s commitment to the development of good corporate governance practice and ethics in Nigeri