The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Yemi Cardoso, has assured Nigerians of a calm and prosperous future, noting that the federal government’s is committed to addressing socio-economic challenges and developing solutions to emerging threats to the nation’s well-being.

Cardoso expressed firm conviction that every period of adversity inevitably presents its own unique set of challenges, which are subsequently followed by a return to stability.

The CBN boss, who was represented by Mr. Omolola Adegbenga, Head Pensions, CBN, spoke on Friday at a town hall engagement organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja

Cardoso, stressed that Hope provides the essential foundation for potential achievement and that concerted efforts will ultimately culminate in exceptional success.

He said: “It is not a coincidence that the president came up with Renewed Hope. I believe that every storm comes with challenges, and after which there will be calm. Every activity of the CBN is geared towards economic growth and good governance.”

“When you say nothing is impossible, you are right. When you say nothing is possible, you are also right, but I want to let you know that Hope is the foundation of possibility and with the collective effort we will achieve greatness.”

Also speaking, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, emphasised the government’s determination to tackle head-on the ills that have troubled the nation in recent years.

The Minister commended the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors, ministers, and other stakeholders to the meeting, which aimed to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda. She praised the government’s efforts to reform the economy, ensure inclusive growth, and strengthen security.

She said the federal government is committed to fulfilling its pledge to Nigerians and is working tirelessly to restore Nigeria’s economic pride globally, tackle socio-economic challenges head-on and find solutions to emerging threats.

To achieve this, she noted that the government is collaborating with policymakers, employers, and workers to generate momentum for development, while the ministry is tasked with ensuring decent work, industrial peace, and harmony to drive national growth.

She said: “This Administration’s mantra “Renewed Hope Agenda, Unity and Progress for all Nigerians”, predicated on eight (8) points focusing on Job creation, Education, Health, Food security, and Social investment as essential pillars of development a policy implementation that will reform the economy, ensure inclusive growth, and strengthen security for peace and prosperity which Government has vigorously pursued at all levels. This remains the pledge we made to all Nigerians, hence Government is working round the clock to put Nigeria in its pride of place in the world economy.”

“I therefore make no excuses as this Government of APC is determined and committed to tackling headlong all socio-economic ills that have troubled our nation and we shall by the grace of God Almighty evolve solutions to emerging threats to our wellbeing as a nation.”

The stakeholders’ engagement, according to her, is aimed at raising awareness among labour leaders, employers, and civil society organizations; Mobilising the workforce to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda; fostering cooperative labour-government relations, and replacing conflict with collaboration.

“Recognizing this, the federal government has sought and continues to seek to collaborate with policymakers, in this case, both employers and workers’ representatives, who make development possible by generating and sustaining the momentum so that together we can attain enviable heights of progress in our beloved country,” she added.

Onyejeocha expressed confidence in the experts’ ability to proffer implementable strategies to achieve the agenda. She thanked President Tinubu for his vision and leadership, and all stakeholders for their participation.

The meeting brought together a cross-section of stakeholders from both the private and public sectors to engage in a comprehensive examination of the distinctive economic challenges confronting the country and the labour ecosystem, and to discuss strategies for future progress.