Paschal Emeka, Abuja

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has stated that many countries around the world have deployed proceeds of lottery to finance infrastructure development as well as create jobs for their citizens, adding that Nigeria is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the growth of the lottery sub-sector.

Delivering a keynote speech during the official unveiling of a new policy christened ‘National Lottery Nigeria’ by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), in Abuja, the Speaker disclosed plans by the National Assembly to bequeath a robust and functional lottery and gaming industry to the country through legislation.

According to him, plans are under way to introduce a bill that would regulate the practices of lottery and gaming in the country.

an interview shortly after the event, the Director General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Lanre Gbajabiamila stated that gaming operations have been going on for many years in the country.

“Critical stakeholders have been educated on how to play lotteries and games without sharp practices. Nigeria is aiming to generate more revenue for capital projects like other countries of the world such as China, Ghana, among others.

The Director General solicited the support of all Nigerians as everything should not be left in the hands of the government.

He revealed that with proper management, the lottery could create wealth as well as funding for capital projects and create job opportunities for job seekers more than other sectors of the economy.

Gbajabiamila stressed that with the dwindling oil revenue, it is high time the country looked inwards in order to tap from other sources of revenue.