Ibrahim Bashir Concerned Citizen Tasks President Buhari on Diversification of Nigeria Economy for Everyone to Enjoy Everyday Living

Comr. Ibrahim Bashir Onakpa.

It is well known fact to citizens home and abroad source of strength of the political entity called Nigeria. Concerned stakeholders in the hub of the wheel of economic progress know source of income generation for the country. Nigeria is blessed with fertile and nourished land coupled with mineral resources yielding accolades and nomenclature as giant of Africa.

Earlier before the oil boom, Nigeria was known as a great country. Back then, with agriculture as the major source of income. However, today we import almost all agricultural products including the common ones like fertilizers. This is a huge setback in an effort to boost our economy.

Nigeria is blessed with land which beneath contains,; Gold, Coal, Iron ore, Uranium, crude oil, bitumens, talc, kaolin. Limestone and many others. But it is quite disheartening that the rest are left dormant and unexplored. Aside crude oil, where is our independence if we must relent on superior country leaders for approval or advice before developing our nation.

As a rational thinker and intelligent executive, diversification of economy supposed to be the gospel truth and strategy to create a robust economic independence rather than persistent borrowing from China through Internally Monetary Fund ( IMF)

Money should be set to harness resources to give room for gainful employment and continued exploration on the abandoned minerals. This will serve as investment for the betterment of the young and ever- growing youth and posterity . United Arab Emirate (UAE) is trading on gold and they are moving forward and performing great.

India is utilizing their iron and steel which we have a better quality and quantity than India. However, we find it difficult to see possibility in making them work, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are countries whose source of income is from crude Oil. Nigeria is completely the reverse. Ours is been played on the alter of mere political game by those at the helms of affairs.

We have lost the sight to forecast into the future the likely ways of unleashing the rich potentials in Nigeria. This accounts for why the economy is degenerating, there by affecting the current drive to excel, cross the bridge between standard of living and standard of life. We have nothing to leave behind as legacy for sustainable normal life and future of yet unborn.

Arise O compatriot, wake up from slumber and see beyond crude oil. Farming is another key factor, it should not be limited to cultivation of crops We are all aware the scope of agriculture is broader than that, horticulture is one of it’s form, fishery is another, snail rearing, poultry, and many others. This will go along way to creating job opportunities and therefore improving the economy.

With our Previous believe in the past years, we can say that we have done more harm than good to ourselves, a lot of injustice, limiting our potentials and not seeing possibilities in Nigeria where seems to be impossible. Of course, it won’t be easy to execute this elephant – Nigeria projects. But as a Nation with Vision, we are supposed to be more concerned about perpetual stability of economy than quick pleasures coupled with unexplainable borrowing.

The iron and steel company in Nigeria has the capacity of employing over 500, 000 Nigerian if it is working properly. The Gold in Zamfara can as well transform the narrative of our country in just a twinkle of an eye. The Uranium in different parts of the country(Borno state and Kogi state) can be used in production of nuclear weapons. Thereby creating a room for foreign exchange and possibly become the best economy across the globe.

Exportation level will therefore supersedes that of importation and consequently the Nation will attained the dream of sustainable economy.
The tragic part of our daily life is economic stagnation. It is not only underdevelopment but poverty. This has been the bedrock upon which other menace were generated.

The future we ever clamoured for is now. We must rise to expand our source of income beyond monoeconomy or mere reliance on crude oil. Nigeria is too blessed that every researcher around the globe can equally attest it. Finally, we must dialogue on a round table talk about technical-know-how contributions to the nation for positive change. There are so many Nigerian blessed , some other countries are depending on their professional acumen and expertise to survive. It is time to invite them back to their motherland e.g Philip Emeagwali, Prof Gabriel Oyibo and a host of unsung hero’s abroad.

An avalanches of Nigerians who are self employed as it is in regard to skilled labour, Handwork like(tailor, mechanic, carpenter, vulcanizer, computer engineers and lots more) their services can be engaged in the production of quality materials worth exportation. The potential drive and skills are hidden. The reason is that they are not involved in the scheme of things is the absence of raw materials and enabling environment to thrive. Out leaders must wake up to their basic responsibility .

Attention should be giving to diversification of our country economy in order to get Nigeria on safer side. It is not enough for our leaders to give money just to win election and forget the electorate while in office. It is not enough to continue consuming fish. Rather we out a demand on our leaders to teach us how to strive on, till we catch these fishe.

We need robust and well planned skill acquisition centers with sound motivation to empower every youth to achieve profitable skill yielding entrepreneurial spirit. Life could be stressful based on prevailing circumstances poking us with so much discomfort and pains. Surely there is always a light at the end of a tunnel.