Stable democracy requires strong economy, says NIMASA DG

The director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, has said that a stable democracy engendered by a credible election would require a strong economy to enable the citizens fulfil their individual and collective aspirations.

Giving a goodwill message at the just concluded 10th All Nigerian Editors Conference which held in Katsina State, Akpobolokemi said the Nigerian economy was growing in leaps and bounds as demonstrated by increasing volume of trade and foreign direct investment, expressing optimism that it would experience further growth given the consciousness to further strengthen the country’s democracy.

The NIMASA boss, who was represented by Isichei Osamgbi, deputy director and head of public relations, said the theme of the conference – ‘Credible Elections and Good Governance, the Role of the Editor’ – was quite apt at a time when Nigeria was putting finishing touches to the next general elections.

He said Nigerians had reasons to be optimistic about the future as the economy had been acknowledged to be on track of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020, adding that Nigeria had been classified among MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey) countries projected to be future economic leaders.

In 2000, Nigeria was ranked 52nd in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product at purchasing power parity. But the country’s ranking improved to 40th in 2005 and 26th in 2014, making it the largest within Africa.