As the recession bites harder on the economy, the governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has lent his voice proffering solutions to halt the dwindling economy.
Aregbesola spoke at the weekend during the one-year anniversary and first annual lecture of The Point Newspapers held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos.
At the lecture, with the theme, “The Economics of Change,” the governor said Nigeria must cut its dependence on foreign goods, increase local production and enhance entrepreneurship, adding that these would help save the local currency which currently carries too much pressure.
Aregbesola expressed regrets that Nigeria has failed to make use of the huge opportunities in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Also at the event, among other prominent personalities, were the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.
The governor said it was disheartening that Nigeria depends too much on foreign foods which is killing agriculture.
He said: “We should also cut the importation of food to less than 25 percent of the current volume. This is to enable us develop agriculture. It has been the policy of our administration since day one to promote food production in order to be able to feed our people.”