Fidelia Okafor.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has called on political leaders in the country to commit themselves to concerted efforts that can alter the ways things are done in Nigeria for good.

Prof. Osinbajo spoke Friday when he met with a delegation of lawmakers from the House of Representatives in his office to discuss the economy and particularly possible ways of navigating Nigeria out of recession.

The federal legislators at the meeting with the vice president were members of the Tactical Committee  on Recession from the House of Representatives, led by the Chairman, Dr. Bode Ayorinde.

The meeting was aimed at promoting cordiality and progressive synergy between the National Assembly and the Presidency.

Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma was also at the meeting.

Speaking on the need for political leaders to use their positions and the leadership opportunity to effect changes that would benefit the citizenry, Vice President Osinbajo said leadership was a call to service.

He said: “how many people will get this kind of opportunity we have to lead? The opportunity to serve is one that must be taken seriously and used for the common good.’’

Addressing the bane of corruption, and its effects on development, the Vice President said: “it is in our interest to deal with corruption, this is not moralising, it is an existential threat, it a survival issue.’’

He said it was important for the legislature and executive to address the issue of recession, pointing out that other countries that don’t have such are doing something about it.

“So we must address it and, it is everywhere; look at foreign exchange and you can identify the problems, you fix the rate of foreign exchange at the rate it is and you know what the black market is, look at the arbitrage which is so large; there is bound to be corruption, it is impossible for there not to be corruption,” Osinbajo said.

He expressed hope that the monetary and fiscal policies are being aligned, adding that “we are constantly in discussion with the CBN, discussing on how to reduce interest rates.’’