The Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has advised State Governors to adopt new technology that will boost their internally Generated Revenues (IGR) and avoid over-reliance on external borrowing.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala gave the advice in Abuja at the induction for newly elected governors and re-elected ones.
The WTO DG said revenue generation was one of the critical elements that would help to enhance development, and urged State Governors to diversify their revenues to promote development at various levels.
President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, commended the Nigerian Governors Forum for their efforts in the promotion of unity in the country, irrespective of political differences. He advised the incoming governors to deliver on their campaign promises.
The World Bank Country Director, Dr Shubham Chaudhuri, said the bank had made efforts to eradicate poverty in Nigeria and pledged its commitment to support Nigeria with funds for developmental projects.
In a presentation on Governance and Accountability, the Chairman, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu said with a population of more than 200 million, majority being youths, governors must diversify their revenue base to initiate programmes that would make young people self-reliant.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal reminded all governors of the task ahead and advised them to promote policies that would enhance the well-being of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed urged the country to initiate and preserve environment-friendly policies in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Other speakers at the event include, the Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, who advised governors to be prudent in financial management to promote accountability.
The Induction programme was first conceived and inaugurated in 2011 as a transition programme for outgoing governors as they prepare for life after office.
It also aims to equip incoming governors with information that will help in promoting good governance.
The theme of this year’s induction is “Governing for Impact; Building sub-national governance”.
Reporting by Nehemiah Anini; Editing by Daniel Adejo and Tony Okerafor