Business
Don Charges FG On Economic Diversification
An academic and entrepreneur, Isaac Awajino, has advised the Federal Government to consider other sectors of the nation’s economy, especially the agricultural sector to relieve the oil and gas sector of heavy burden.
Awajino said this in reaction to the unstable oil prices in the international market and their negative effect on Nigeria’s economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He suggested that the Federal Government must aggressively drive the agricultural sector as an immediate alternative to the oil and gas sector not only as a business, adding that the education sector should be adequately equipped to churn out well rounded agriculturists.
According to him, “as a temporary measure, government must aggressively drive agriculture to immediately relieve the country from the massive effect of the Corona virus pandemic”.
He lamented that the agricultural sector, which he said was at one time Nigeria’s economic main stay, had been abundant for oil and gas.
He said “everybody abandoned agriculture and ran to oil and gas. There must be a sectoral realignment where each of these sectors would now spill over to cushion the effects of the unstable prices in the oil and gas sector. This would also mean occupational change for some people”.
Awajino noted with regret that the impact of the Coronavirus, pandemic was massive especially as it relates to the oil and gas sector as well as the micro economies.
He reasoned that a situation where 200 million people depend on oil and the production price of oil dwindles; it would poses a very big problem to that nation’s economy.
Talking about the impact of the economic downturn, he said “the first thing you should look at is, how it affects the common man on the street, who for now may not feel it. The policy makers need to go back to the drawing board and churn up policies that would help them to arrest the situation”.
Tonye Nria-Dappa
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other stakeholders have charted path to improved organic agriculture practices nationwide.
At a 2024 national organic and agroecology business summit held recently in Abuja, stakeholders took turn to speak on the additional areas of promoting the practices.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Lawan Geidam, advocated for sustainable practice to develop resilient food systems that will benefit people.
The event, with the theme,”Towards Policies for Upscaling Organic Agroecological Businesses in Nigeria”, is aimed at fostering growth in the organic agriculture sector.
Geidam, who was represented by the Acting Director, Agric Services, in the Secretariat, Mr. Ofili Bennett, emphasised the success of organic and agroecological farming, reling on the active involvement of farmers, businesses and consumers.
He reassured attendees that the FCT Administration, led by the Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance the livelihood of residents.
Geidam described the partnership between the Secretariat and the organic and Agroecology initiative for a monthly exhibition and sale of organic products in the FCTA premises as a testament to this commitment.
“The ARDS remains committed to driving policies and initiatives that align with national goals and global standards”, Geidam said.
On her part, the Chairperson of Organic and Agroecology Initiative, Mrs. Janet Igho, urged residents to embrace healthy eating habits to sustain a good lifestyle. She stressed the importance of adopting organic practices, highlighting the benefits of going organic, growing organic and consuming organic products.
Igho expressed her optimism regarding the Agricultural Revival Programmes as articulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, which aims at fostering food and nutrition security.
She also extended her gratitude to ARDS for graciously allocating a space in the FCTA premises for the exhibition and sale of organic products, noting that the platform has been effectively used to advance the promotion of organic agriculture in FCT.
Igho outlined several benefits of organic agriculture which includes improved soil health, increased biodiversity, availability nutritious and healthy food and a reduced carbon footprint.
Stakeholders at the summit, underscored the critical need for enhanced private sector involvement and robust capacity building initiatives for farmers.
They highlighted the importance of implementing supportive policies to foster the growth of the organic agriculture sector.
In the light of the significant challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, stakeholders decided that organic agricultural practices present sustainable solutions and a pathway for a more resilient and productive farming systems.
The three-day summit featured exhibitions showcasing organic foods, fruits, vegetables and fertilizers, providing an opportunity for residents to better appreciate the benefits of production and consumption of organic agricultural products.
