By Abdallah el-Kurebe
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state has emphasized that agriculture remains Nigeria’s alternative for growth against the nation’s over-dependence on oil.
The governor said on Thursday when he received officials of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) that Nigeria must reduce her over-dependence on oil by reverting to agriculture.
“We are mistakenly relying on oil revenue from oil deposits that are not renewable. The demand of oil by western countries may one day stop and they may no longer need our oil due to emerging technologies,” Wamakko observed.
He further said that Nigeria would achieved appreciable growth if she gave agriculture the proper attention that the sector deserved. “Nigeria will be a wonderful country; it will be stronger, peaceful and self-sustaining.”
He stressed that any attempt to rejuvenate the economy of the northern region, must see to the restoration of the lost glory of the agricultural sector.
“The second potential highest revenue earner in the north in particular and Nigeria generally is solid minerals exploitation. This will also help to revive as well as diversify the economy of the north and Nigeria,” he insisted.
Wamakko also stressed the need for equality of Nigerians. “Nigeria is one country, with one constitution for all of us. So many things are now going not in the right direction and the ACF must speak with one voice.
“You have the mandate to speak the bitter truth, not minding whose ox is gored,” he added.
Col. Musa Shehu, Secretary- General of the ACF, earlier commended Wamakko for transforming the state in all sectors. “The forum also wants the revival of the northern economy and that is why we are organizing a seminar in Kaduna to brainstorm on the ways to take the north out of the economic doldrums.”
