Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged Nigerians to see the
current economic crunch as the best opportunity for self and national
discovery.
The governor said this when the Emir of Borgu in Niger state,
Muhammed Sani Dantoro paid him a courtesy visit at the Government
Lodge in Ilorin, the state capital.
Ahmed noted that since the recession came with a lot of economic and
social challenges, it was important that Nigerians
remained strengthened and focused on the need to overcome the
recession.
He recalled that many developed countries of the world, including the
United States of America, Germany, Canana, Spain and Ireland, have had
recession and came out of it stronger, adding that nothing should make
the Nigerian experience different.
He suggested that to hasten the recovery, diversification of the
economy through agricultural development is the panacea.
“We must take advantage of God given opportunities. This is the best
time to do it. When you are in a recession, take advantage of
yourselves and move on as a country,” he said.
He called for agricultural development synergy between Borgu Emirate
in Niger state and Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara
State in the drive for the diversification of national economy.
“It is becoming clearer that except we imbibe an agricultural economy
which is expected to translate into being able to feed ourselves and
to create wealth, the desired economic growth may not be achieved.”
Emir Dantoro said his visit was to strengthen the bond between the
people of Borgu Kingdom and their kith and kin in the state.
The emir urged the governor to use his good offices in ensuring that
the federal roads such as Wawa-Kaiama road which connect the
communities receive necessary interventions from the federal
government.
He also urged the political class to ensure that national unity was
not jeopardized as “the unity of this country is paramount for
national development”.