The co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Walter Smith Petroman Oil Limited, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa, former Group Managing Director/ CEO of the Dangote Cement Plc, Engr Joseph Makoju, former Chairman Board of Directors of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Chief Kola Jamodu and the Managing Director/CEO of Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, Tony Okpanchi has been named members of the 36-man economic advisory council (EAC) to Kogi state government.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo said the council will be headed by the immediate past chairman, Kogi State Internal Revenue Services (KGIRS), Aliyu Inda Salami.
Fanwo explained that the economic advisory council was a bold move by Kogi state government to stir a revolution in the economy of Nigeria’s most promising state in terms of natural and human resources.
“The rationale behind setting up the EAC is to provide evidence-driven decision making and rigorous evaluation of the economy. The council will systematically take stock of the most recent trends in economic development, applied economic methods, poverty analytics, evaluation methods, and modelling, measuring, and evaluating development interventions.
“An all-embracing purpose of the economic advisory council will be to sharpen the Kogi state government’s analytical methods and capacity in support of continuing development effectiveness.
“The EAC will provide advice to Kogi state government on issues related to growth and development at the local and state government levels on new perspectives on economic development, innovative approaches to economic growth, innovations in program and project evaluation, poverty and income dynamics, social and infrastructural development and the economics of gender; and other innovations in the field of development economics, growth and evaluation.
“Convening experts in an advisory role will serve to inform the Kogi state government on the success of its economic program development and measurement of results, shape future policy decisions and methodology, and enhance economic programs and economic growth.
“The EAC will serve as a reference group for assessing and advising on methodological directions and innovations for the economic improvement of the state.
“As a State, we are proud to unleash Kogites who have excelled nationally and globally on the current economic reality with the aim of bringing our finest brains together to move the State forward with the ultimate goal being the need to reduce poverty and underdevelopment in our dear state,” he said.
Other members of the advisory council are; Ambassaor Olusiji Godwin Aina, Dr. Aheruvoh David Ohiku, Dr. Emmanuel Onoja, Mr Segun Adaju, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, Prof Sule Jafaru, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, Prof John Alabi, Prof Suleiman Aruwa, Dr. Ronke Bello, Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Gamji, Engr Ismail Akaba, Prof. Seidu Muhammed, Mr. Ola Oyelola, Musa Jimoh Otaru, Mr. Isah Shaibu, Mr John Obaro, Mr. Lawal Itopa Lamidi, Dr. Isah Abdullahi, Dr Audu Dangana, Amb. Shola Rafiu Enikanolaye, Mr. Thomas Etu, Ebi Atawodi, Mr. Korede Adedayo, Dr. Halima Alfa, Mr Gimba N. Baba, Dr. Suleiman Adejoh, Dr. Michael Abuh, Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, Prof. Joshua Okpanachi and Mr. Abdullateef A. Bello.
