Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma has blasted Nigeria for its excessive reliance on imports and disregard for agriculture.
He cautioned that Nigeria may eventually begin importing palm wine, a traditional local beverage, from China if prompt action is not taken to address this concerning trend.
During a pre-convocation lecture at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, Uzodinma issued a warning weekend and urged deliberate and significant agricultural investment to revive Nigeria’s collapsing economy.
Nigeria still struggles to feed its people and give young people jobs, the governor lamented, despite the country’s large population and fertile soil. “Any country which cannot feed itself is not indeed sovereign,” he declared.
“I believe that agriculture continues to be the foundation for both national security and development,” he continued.
He lamented that Nigeria had given up on agriculture, which had been its primary industry prior to independence, when crude oil was discovered.
As the Governor bemoaned, “a volatile commodity like crude oil quickly toppled agriculture as our biggest source of foreign exchange.” “We adopted petro-dollar and orphaned agri-dollar.
” The governor, represented by Professor Victor Nwachukwu, his Commissioner for Education, urged his fellow governors to embrace the green revolution of the late Michael Okpara and bring Nigeria back to the days when the majority of its GDP came from agriculture.
Declan Emelumba, the Commissioner for Information, and other senior government officials accompanied him. Uzodinma challenged regional groups like Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South East Economic Development Fund to mobilise funds strictly for research into modern and efficient food production in Igbo land.
Every Igbo man would undoubtedly be happy to see the local cow, or ehi Igbo, return. Personally, I would like to see the rapidly expanding and improved species of “ewu Igbo,” which are currently going extinct, and “okuko Igbo,” which are local fowls.
What about our valuable resource, “ngwo” (raffia palm trees), which are the only trees that yield the best palm wine? “We will eventually be importing palm wine and “ugba,” a local delicacy, from China if we do not take the necessary action.
” Governor Uzodinma chastised agricultural university professors, urging them to move beyond academic theory and take farming seriously.
He asked, “How many of you here eat plantains and bananas that were harvested from your farm?” Like their international counterparts, the governor pushed agricultural universities to be leaders in research and innovation, offering fundamental knowledge and strategies for enhancing agricultural practices.
“New machinery and equipment that cater to farmers’ needs can be created by universities. Most significantly, though, our agricultural universities are able to teach farmers new farming methods, like how to use cutting-edge technologies to increase productivity.
Nigeria should not be exporting cocoa to Europe only to import cocoa products at exorbitant prices, according to Governor Uzodinma, who supported the construction of agro-processing factories to help process Nigeria’s raw farm produce. According to his theory, “a nation that succeeds in agriculture will probably accelerate its national development.
“With food security, employment creation, especially in rural areas, poverty reduction, rural development, sustainable and industrial development, social stability, and, lastly, trade and foreign exchange earnings, a country that makes strides in agriculture will see a leap in national development.
” He continued, “Agriculture is a fundamental pillar for national development that influences environmental sustainability and economic stability.
” He recalled how Malaysia had recently become the world’s largest producer and exporter of palm oil after travelling to Nigeria to harvest palm fruits. He pointed out that 10% of Malaysia’s workforce is employed in agriculture, which contributes 8% of the country’s GDP.
The governor said it was disheartening that Nigeria is having difficulty feeding its people during peacetime while Ukraine, despite being at war for almost three years, continues to be the world’s top exporter of wheat.