Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has called on the Federal Government to initiate policies that will enable it to look inward in order to revive the economy, particularly now that there is a crash in the price of oil at the international market.
He stated that not until Nigeria begins the processing of agricultural outputs it produces locally and make them abundant and affordable, the challenges confronting the nation’s economy may take more years to overcome.
Aregbesola made this known in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at the book launch as well as the 54th birthday celebration of a labour leader, Comrade Isa Aremu, where he was the Guest of Honour.
In the words of the Governor, “We urge the Federal Government to initiate policies that would ensure looking inward to revive the economy especially now that there is a slump in price of oil in the international market.
“Osun has the lowest unemployment rate because of the efforts of the governor; there is Omoluabi Garment Factory, which produces the free uniforms for the students. The state has also shown to us that public schools can be better, the governor is building better schools than some in Europe,” he said.
Aregbesola noted that the nation was being afforded another opportunity for greatness as Nigerians march to the poll next month, urging that “People should judge the politicians at the election based on what they have to deliver on industry, economy. We have always been at the forefront of the struggle and we urge Nigerians to ensure that the country survives, our patriots should fight for their votes, we should all ensure that the votes count,” he admonished.
Expressing efforts put in place by his administration which led to the reduction of the unemployment rate in the state and creation of a better public school, the Governor noted that for Nigeria to emerge an industrial nation, Nigerians must consume what they produce and produce what they consume, warning, that without that, Nigeria cannot get out of poverty.
“We should get the youths back to the industry. If Nigeria does not work, No Africa will ever survive. When Nigeria was working it liberated Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone. But we are no more on duty, our leaders have been docile now, they steal money. Nigeria must wake up to return to good old days of Shehu Shagari, Gowon, Muritala,” he said.
Recalling that in the 70s and 80s, Nigerians led in the manufacturing sector, Aregbesola regretted that Nigerians are at the moment becoming poorer while poverty has forced Nigerian youths to take to riding Okada as a way of making ends meet.
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