Nigeria@59: Expert advises FG to prioritise agric sector

As Nigeria celebrates its 59th independence, an Economist, Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu, has advised the Federal Government to give priority to agriculture in budget allocation, policies and decision making.

Ekechukwu, a former Director-General, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), gave this advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

He said that for close to 59 years, the Nigerian economy had relied on oil production and sales, adding that this trend was no longer tenable today.

According to him, agriculture is a promising sector that can quickly and easily take us to self sustenance level and reduce hunger.

“We need a total shift from dependence on oil to other dependable sources of revenue.

“We need to reduce unemployment rate to the barest minimum. This will improve the quality of life and reduce crime rate in the country,” he said.

He also urged the Federal Government to do everything within its power to reduce insurgency and insecurity, as these remained the bane of development.

Speaking on the industry, trade and investment sector, he called on government at all levels to continue to develop and concentrate on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

“The more this sector grows, the more jobs are created, the more our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow, hence the attendant growth of the economy,” he added. (NAN)