Stop Overdependence On Oil, Mohammed Urges Nigerians

As the Federal Government continues to encourage diversification from oil to other sectors of the economy such as agriculture, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, the former chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on Nigerians especially the North, to stop the dependence on oil as the mainstay of the economy.

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The former ACF chairman who said he appreciated the efforts of the present administration in diversifying the economy, also called on Nigerians to support the government's efforts to succeed.

Aliko Mohammed who is also the Patron of Farmers Association of Nigeria (FAN) noted that agriculture is the best way towards achieving self sufficiency in the north and Nigeria.

He was speaking at the Arewa Youth Forum, (AYF) 2017 edition of the annual leadership lecture in Kaduna.

Aliko called on the north to take advantage of the arable agricultural land and feed itself instead of depending on oil revenue from the Federal Government.

According to him, “what the north needs to do first is for us to feed ourselves; at a point Nigeria was importing N1 billion worth of rice. Now, because of lack of foreign exchange, we are producing some of the rice locally.

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“The government is trying in the area of agriculture. It is beginning to take its rightful place, through the anchor borrowers plan with billions of naira coming from the CBN to the farmers, which is good.

“As the Patron, of Farmers Association, I think the government is trying in the area of agriculture. It is left for the farmers to arrange themselves and source the money".

Addressing the youths who are the organisers of the programme, he said; “As leaders of tomorrow, since they can organise an occasion like this shows that all they need to do, is to mobilise themselves in different sectors. They need to make sure that Nigeria is self sufficient".

Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, National President of AYF, while speaking said the  theme of this year’s series, "Nigeria’s current realities; socio-economic  development and milestones", is part of AYF contribution to national unity and policy direction of the country.

He said, “By so doing and through this event, the Arewa Youth Forum will recognise and encourage exemplary leaders who have promoted positive values and excelled in their various fields of endeavour".