Ambode urges FG, states to diversify into agriculture

APPARENTLY worried by the slump in global oil market for over a year, which has diminished national earnings, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday urged the Federal Government and states to begin to pay serious attention to agric-economy as alternative source of revenue and self-sustainability.

Ambode, who spoke at the 4th European Union-Nigeria Business Forum 2015 in Lagos yesterday, said that the current economic hardship made it imperative for all to look inwards for creative ways of growing the economy of the country and boost gross domestic product.

He said that the agricultural sector serves as a ready alternative source of revenue generation not only to the government but also to individuals and private organisations through the various agro-allied value chains.

The governor commended the organisers for the theme of this year’s forum, “Unlocking Opportunities for Diversification”, saying it was apt as it would afford participants focus on addressing the obstacles to the effective development of the agricultural value chain.

He noted that the EU’s relationship with Nigeria was significant, not only because Europe remains the top destination for Nigeria’s oil and non-oil exports, but also because the region accounts for nearly one-third of Nigeria’s total trade.