COVID-19: Epe Indigenes Call For Nigeria’s Diversification From Oil Sector To Agriculture

Some Epe Indigenes and agricultural experts have called on the federal government to divert it’s attention from the oil sector to the agricultural and other sectors for sustainable national development.

The agricultural experts spoke in an interview with Eko Hot Blog in Epe, on Tuesday, that farming is one of the major alternatives to revive our ailing oil-dependent-economy.

According to Mr Mark Olaniyi Osifeko, an Agriculture expert, he said that the oil industry is no longer sustainable, as the price of crude oil is fluctuating at the global market.

Adding that, it was due to so many factors beyond Nigeria’s reach and has exposed the nation to an opaque future.

He said that the current price of oil in the global market is 15 dollars and the cost of producing it is around 18 dollars in Nigeria, which is a shortage for the country as things stand.

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He, therefore, said “Nigerians should be prepared for a looming economic situation after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is oil everywhere but no place to store it, therefore, the crude oil will be sold at a cheaper price, which is a lost to Nigeria’s economy, ” he said.

Osifeko appealed to the federal government to invest hugely in Agriculture, Tourism, Textile and Creative Industry to stimulate productivity.

Speaking further, he said the government should diversify its attention from the oil sector because of its unsustainability in this current dispensation.

He also urged the Federal Government to reverse its budgeting style to cater for more capital projects and reduce the percentage for overhead cost and generally reduce the cost of governance.

Mr Titilayo Adebanjo, another Agripreneur, said that necessity is the mother of all invention.

He, therefore, advised policymakers to make policies that will accommodate Agriculture and set up a platform that will give the Agricultural sector utmost priority.

“History defines Nigeria as a successful country in agricultural productivity in times past but the sector is no longer thriving as it were in the past.

“It is discouraging seeing a role model country (Nigeria) in Agricultural business now turned a country the world is spoon-feeding through importation, ” he said.

Also, Dr Abdulkareem Onakoya, a Political Analyst, said that good governance remains the key factor to reform Nigeria’s system to order.

He advised the government to consult Political, Agricultural and Economic experts to formulate policies that will transform the economy for better.

“There is a need for the total overhaul of Nigeria’s Political, Economic and Social systems,” he said.

Speaking further, he said there is a need to find a common ground to exchange ideas that will develop the society.

Mr Kolade Olaniyi, an innovator, advised Nigerians to venture into farming, encourage locally made products, have abundant food for sustainability.

“The price of locally made food should be relatively cheaper and should be made affordable for all to buy and consume.

“The supply of locally made products should be more than the demand to discourage the purchase of foreign Items,” he said.

Olaniyi urged the government to improve in its storage facilities/system and make available a proper logistics system that will cater for farm produce to get to the market for sales on time.

“There is need for Nigeria to revamp its orientation to understand the cause and effect of every one of our actions and mechanisms, as part of our school curriculum, ” he said.

Mr Adeyemi Adebanjo, a finance expert, urged the government to enforce the law that supports farming for economic sustainability.

He said that the people behind the formulation of policies, should enforce it and allow it to work as expected so that it will help to grow our economy.

Idris Tele-Olukoya

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