No short cut to economic prosperity- President Jonathan.

[FMINigeria]

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to put in their best into whatever occupational activities they are engaged in, stressing that there are no short cuts to economic prosperity.

The President who spoke on Thursday in Abuja, through the Vice President, Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, at the 13th National Productivity Day Celebrations and Conferment of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award, said, "No matter our calling, it is only through hard work,

diligence and discipline that success can be achieved."

While President Jonathan was acknowledging that improved productivity needed motivation and favourable working conditions, emphasised that his administration was working assiduously to re-engineer attitudinal outlook, which would "emphasise the dignity of labour, integrity, honesty, discipline and hard work in the workplace"; adding that, "We are also resolved to effect new service reward system that will promote productivity, efficiency and excellence."

According to him, to achieve these, his administration was not only strengthening the National Productivity Centre, but was also addressing the infrastructure deficit through the development of a National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), and had also inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian National Competitiveness Council (NNCC) to improve competitiveness.

While expressing his delight with the successes being made by the reforms the administration was carrying out and also observing that standard of living had direct correlation with productivity, the

President maintained that Government was vigorously diversifying the economy to drive wealth and job creation.

"Our agenda of transformation is productivity oriented.  Our vision and quest are to bequeath to future generations, a better and greater Nigeria, underpinning our action.  It is by securing higher and better quality output for any given unit of input, that we can increase our national wealth and raise the living standards of our people"; the President, said.

He called on the awardees not to rest on their oars, while also calling on both individuals and organizations to emulate them by increasing their productivity. The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, while thanking the President for personally signing the certificates, disclosed that the National Council on Productivity would soon be inaugurated, while also

imploring individuals and organizations to key into the National Productivity Policy by increasing their productiveness.

Mr. George Uriesi, who spoke on behalf of fellow recipients of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award, expressed gratitude for the recognition, pledging that they would not fail the country, adding that it was a tonic that would propel them.

The 2011/2012 National Productivity Order of Merit Award, was conferred on twenty individuals and ten organizations in recognition of their contributions towards national development.  Since inception in 1991, Two hundred and fifty-six (256) individuals and fifty-eight organizations had received the honour.

This year's celebrations had the theme, "Productivity and Competitiveness: Determinants for Achieving National Transformation."

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