IPAN moves to revamp Nigeria’s ailing economy
Beams focus on agro-allied sector
The Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) has vowed to tackle issues preventing expansion of Nigeria’s agro-allied industry to ensure that the economy is less dependent on oil and gas.
According to the institute, moves have been made to collaborate with stakeholders to revitalise the agro-allied sector through laboratory analysis, which it described, as a quality indicator for acceptance in both domestic and foreign markets.
The Registrar, Mr. Aliyu Angara, disclosed this, yesterday, during the commemoration of the institute’s 30th Mandatory Continuous Professional Development (MCPD) workshop held at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, Ondo State capital.
Angara said: “The workshop is a practical approach to resolve challenges in the agro-allied sector of the economy that fall within the ambit of laboratory analysis of products, pesticides, herbicides, soil and other related matters.”
“Ultimately, this will drastically improve and bring to global standards such agro-allied products that are meant for local consumption and exportation.”
ALSO, in his keynote address at the anniversary, the Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Edward Olanipekun, stressed that IPAN should intensify concerted efforts in interacting with different organs of government to seek collaborative support and ways through which organisations can benefit maximally from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
“Our economy, which was largely dependent on agriculture in the 60s and early 70s, suddenly became hydrocarbon-dependent at the detriment of the agricultural and other non-oil sectors of the economy.
“Despite its huge natural endowments, the neglect of Nigeria’s vast agricultural potentials, which used to be its biggest foreign exchange (Forex) earner, coupled with non-exploitation of the vast solid minerals potentials, perfectly fits into the paradox of resources curse.”
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented at the workshop by his Chief of Staff, Olugbenga Ale, commended the institute on its performance in curbing infiltration of substandard products into Nigerian markets and other areas of its mandate.
