President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, inaugurated the new National Economic Council (NEC) which tenures spans from 2019 to 2023, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
The inauguration ceremony started around 1.23p.m. when President Buhari arrived the Council Chamber for the Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
After the rendition of the National Assembly, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State said the opening Christian prayer, while Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State offered the Muslim prayer.
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While urging the new NEC to press forward with key initiatives, the president asked them to specially focus on security, education health and agriculture.
Attaining progress in the four areas, he said, would ensure a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
With the beginning of second term of the administration, 12 state governors whose tenures had ended are no longer members of the Council.
They are now replaced by new governors ruling the states.
Thirty-six state governors and deputies were in the Council chamber during the inauguration.
Others in the Council chamber included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.