NESG postpones summit indefinitely over #EndSARS protests

The Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), a private sector-led think-tank and policy advocacy group, has postponed its 26th summit which was scheduled to hold on Oct 26-27.

In a statement on Thursday, the board of directors of NESG said it would be “insensitive and inappropriate” to hold the summit as a result of the current security situation in the country.

The group said it took the decision after consultation with relevant stakeholders, apologising for inconveniences caused to members of the public.

“In the past years, deliberations and outcomes of the Summit drove a national discourse but it is clear that holding this year’s Summit from October 26 – 27, 2020 without taking adequate cognizance and due consideration of recent developments across the country that have accentuated the need to amplify the voices of our youth for the reform of our institutions, and the improvement of governance, will be insensitive and inappropriate,” the statement read.

“It is against this background that, after due consultation between the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the federal ministry of finance, budget and national planning as co-hosts of the Nigerian Economic Summit, the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit has been postponed.”

NESG sympathized with families of victims of violence and killings across the country, calling for the prosecution of perpetrators of these unlawful acts.

It further urged the the federal and state governments to kickstart the reform of security institutions.

The group noted that youth participation and engagement is crucial to attaining “the Nigeria of our dreams.”

“The NESG will deploy its convening and engagement capabilities to serve as a platform for driving issues affecting the Nigerian youth and ensure improved collaboration between our stakeholders,” the statement read.

“Finally, the NESG wishes to state that strong and transparent institutions determine the resilience of our economy, and the effectiveness of our social justice system. The participation and effective engagement of our youth is crucial to the development and operation of our institutions. This is the only way to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.”