He said the nation did not have what he called unlimited resources to continue the importation of food items that could be produced locally.
The President spoke while granting audience to the new Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Vesselin Delcher, who was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to present his letter of credence.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President told his guest that his administration would vigorously implement policies that would revive Nigeria’s agricultural sector and reposition it as the mainstay of the nation’s economy.
He added that his administration would evolve and implement policies that will help Nigeria become self-sufficient in food production because continued importation of food could expose the country to more external shocks.
The President noted that the unbridled importation of food also contributes to the depletion of the country’s foreign reserves and deprives citizens of job opportunities.
He said, “We must produce what we eat. We don’t have unlimited resources to continue the importation of food items that can be produced locally.
“Fortunately, some Nigerians have shown foresight by building factories that process agricultural products within the country.
“They have created a value chain that boosts employment, protects our foreign reserves and safeguards the economy from external shocks.
“We will do all that we can to encourage others to join in the effort to achieve national self-sufficiency in food production.”
Buhari added that his administration will also help and encourage Nigerian farmers to adopt modern, technology-driven methods that guarantee higher production and returns on investment.
The President , who also received the new High Commissioner of Australia, Mr. Paul Lehmann; the new High Commissioner of Sierra-Leone, Hajiya Afsatu Ebiso-Kabba; and the new Ambassador of Iceland, Thordur Aegir Oskarsson, told them that Nigeria will welcome the further strengthening of relations with their countries, especially in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals and trade.
He wished the four envoys, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to him, successful tenures in Nigeria. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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When most of una dey more interested in oil blocks? How? Most politicians are more interested in sharing the oil money.
ReplyDeleteImportation of food items is very shameful to a country like Nigeria. Thanks Allah we have responsible leader that is ready to take us forward.
ReplyDeleteMr. President, you have not shown any serious commitment to local content initiative as expected. The budget you sent for approval has components like office furniture, Safes,File jackets, stationery, uniforms, etc that are to be imported. You ought to have ordered that any of such items with local substitutes MUST be bought locally. We lose so much dollars and jobs to Italy, Dubai, etc from procurement of such items from abroad. Even your own office furniture are all foreign. Live by example and then compel other heads of govt agencies to follow suit. If anybody desires foreign items, let them buy with their own money and not govt money.
ReplyDeleteEvery country on earth imports and exports food!
ReplyDeleteThis is a good talk and holds for the less previlaged. Past president ate rice produed in nigeria and bread baked with cassava flour. Mr. President sincerely tell this country the type of rice you and your family eat.
ReplyDeleteOkay we will eat nigeria made food but you cow and goat will eat imported grass from Brazil. What a shame to this govt. Mr. Buhari wake up from your slumber.
NATURALLY, A COUNTRY THAT IS SUFFICIENT IN FOOD PRODUCTION IS ON THE WAY TO ECONOMIC FREEDOM! FOODS, ARE ESSENTIALLY IMPORTANT FOR A COUNTRY LIKE NIGERIA. WE IMPORTED PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING WE EAT! THAT IS NOT HEALTHY IF THERE SHOULD BE WORLD WAR! NO ONE PRAY FOR IT, BUT IT IS IMMINENTLY POSSIBLE. WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, NATURE HAS MADE IT CONVENIENT TO GROW ESSENTIAL CROPS THAT WE NEED TO FEED OURSELVES,
ReplyDeleteBUT WHAT WE NEED NOW IS HARNESSING THESE NATURE GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO FEED OUR TEEMING POPULATION. NO DOUBT, THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS FULLY COMMITTED TO DEVELOP OUR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY TO INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. NIGERIA, HAS A MATTER OF FACT, HAS THE CAPACITY TO FEED THE WHOLE OF AFRICA IF AVAILABLE RESOURCES ARE EQUITABLY HARNESSED.
Good development. We are shallow minded in this country to think that all things made abroad are better than our home made products. For the past 3weeks I have lived on only Nigeria made products, I was told its not possible and I wont survive but I only got to discover how stupid we are because even the products I was sure I wont get were right there in the dusty corners of shops 'made in Nigeria' while the chinese, french and german products were displayed in front.
ReplyDelete