By Palma Ileye
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has advocated for the country to focus on the non- oil sector for economic growth, stating that the lottery sector was a non-oil sector investment that is yet to be fully tapped into in Nigeria taking cognizance of the growing population.
Tunji-Ojo in a press release issued by Ozoya Imohimi, Director Press and Public Relations Department of the Ministry said this while hosting the Management team of the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission, NLRC, led by its Director-General, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila in Abuja.
He said lottery was not always gambling as held by some people noting that some Nigerians feed their families from the proceeds of lottery business.
He stated that there was an established correlation between lottery and crime, saying that there was a close link between lottery, gambling, drugs, money laundering and terrorism, hence the need for Ministry of Interior saddled with responsibility for internal security to partner with NLRC to provide a conducive atmosphere for foreign investors to operate in the country.
He commended the Director-General for curtailing the abuses in lottery processes in Nigeria.
He said this was attributed to the reforms instituted by him in the lottery sector.
Earlier, the Director-General National Lottery Regulatory Commission Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila said he was in the Ministry of Interior to solicit for the Ministry’s support and collaboration to achieve ease of doing business for the foreign investors.
He said this was because lottery business attracts foreign investors, especially as it relates to the non oil sector.
Gbajabiamila added that with the collaboration, the Commission will be able to identify investors in the sector.
