Acting President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria’s economy will not grow by fasting and prayer but by the collective effort of all citizens.

Speaking with heads of ministries, departments and agencies at the state house on Wednesday, Osinbajo, who is a pastor, urged government officials to be the drivers of transparency and efficiency in doing business in the country.

He spoke on the background of the three executive orders he signed last Thursday.

“Every time we postpone processes of businesses, we delay the prosperity of many. If you help others move forward you will find help. Don’t see this as a government policy but a personal policy,” he implored them.

He also disclosed that there would be an extensive communication network between the government and the MDAs to ensure that the orders were fully complied with.

“We are going to need extensive customer care, call centres, feedback mechanism a lot of work is already going on between SERVICOM and I suspect that each ministry, department and agency will have to take responsibility,” he said.

“No matter how long we pray and fast, our nation won’t grow until some of us decide to do the hard work that will make our nation work.”

He urged civil servants to be diligent in carrying out their duties, adding that “every time we say come back next week for something we could do today; we postpone the prosperity of that person and the nation”.