The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele on Wednesday called for positive reportage of the Nigerian economy by Journalists.
Emefiele made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 22nd Finance Correspondents and Business Editors’ Seminar in Abakiliki.
Emefiele, who was represented by Mr Moses Tule, a CBN Director for Monetary Policy Department, said that foreign investors formed their perception of the Nigerian economy based on what they read and hear in the media.
The theme of the seminar is: “Financing Nigeria’s non-oil sector for sustainable economic development.’’
He said that the CBN had gone beyond monetary and price stability to developmental activities that would stimulate economic growth.
He said these developmental initiatives were necessary because Nigeria’s developing economy was inherent with developmental challenges.
Emefiele noted that the apex bank had committed N220 billion into agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and infrastructure.
He said that some of the interventions were the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) and the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS).
He added that the interventions were not intended to crowd out financial institutions in credit delivery, but to serve as incentives to propel lending at reasonable rates to the real sector.
Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, while declaring the seminar open, promised Nigerians a bumper harvest in rice from the state.
Umahi said that the state was involved in various agricultural programmes to meet food sufficiency for its citizens.
He also said that the state government would collaborate with a private investor to resuscitate the state’s cement company – Niger Cement.
Umahi added that Niger Cement, when fully operational, would provide employment opportunities for its citizens and contribute to the economy of the state and the nation.
The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Augustine Nwankwagu, noted that the state was blessed with over 29 mineral resources which were yet to be tapped.
He, however, called on investors to partner with the state to harness the rich mineral resources.
Mr Isaac Okorafor, Acting Director, Corporate Communication Department, CBN, said that the seminar was aimed at creating a better understanding of the bank’s activities to enable informed reportage of economic issues.
He extolled the patriotism of the economic correspondents in their reportage of the economy.
He added that in spite of the country’s challenge, journalists had remained resolute and maintained objectivity in their reportage.
Okorafor urged them to continue to display the high sense of patriotism in ensuring that their reportage helped in building the economy.
