by James Sambo

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, says the efforts of the present government to manage the nation’s economy and improve the lives of Nigerians was commendable but may have not been perfect.

Okonjo-Iweala spoke in Abuja, on Sunday night, at a reception organised in her honour by Ndi-Igbo Youth Organisation in partnership with Voice of All Arewa Youth, in Abuja.

The minister said she will never regret serving the country under President Goodluck Jonathan in spite of the criticisms and attacks she has been receiving.

According to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, the lives of Nigerians, especially youths and women improved significantly under the Jonathan administration.

“The youths have been at the centre of the work done by this administration and these are facts on the ground. You cannot change facts but you can try to twist them and at the end of the day facts will come out. You cannot re-write history, and wake up and say these are things we have done or have not done. A lot of things have been accomplished to transform this economy.

“Is it 100 percent? No, and are we to do more? The answer is yes. Have we done everything perfectly? The answer is no and no one is ever perfect. But have we made very good effort to do? and the answer is a resounding yes.

“The support for the various sectors that created jobs that needs to continue and programmes like YouWin, they need to continue and those that are not good by all means you can do away with them or make them better. “No one is perfect but let us build on what is there in order not to lose time on this economy.

Kolapo Olapoju