Agriculture key to Nigeria’s development, says Okowa

Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to actively participate in the development of the agricultural sector with a view to diversifying and growing the nation’s economy.

During a valedictory service for outgoing local council chairmen in Asaba at the weekend, the governor said the state of the economy called for additional sources of revenue for the nation to bounce back.

His words: “There is no doubt that we are in a difficult situation in Nigeria today with the present economic recession. There is a reason for everything and God wants us to learn a lesson as a nation. We need to look beyond the oil economy by going back to agricultural produce.”

He advised Nigerians to take to agriculture and allied businesses, stressing that the agricultural policies of his administration had impacted positively on the lives of the people and that the effects would be better appreciated in the next five years.

Okowa added: “We will realise that the effect of the recession is to turn our eyes back to agriculture.”
He called for sustenance of peace and unity in the country.

Congratulating chairmen for a successful three-year tenure, the governor urged them to continue to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

In his homily, Rev Fr. Stanislaus Odiegwu charged political office holders to always work for the betterment as well as unity of the people and society.