Business
Reinvest Oil Wealth In Agric, Ex-Minister Urges FG
A former Minister of
Agriculture, Dr Shetima Mustapha, has advised the Federal Government to reinvest the nation’s oil wealth in agriculture as a way of creating employment for the youth.
Mustapha gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja last Sunday.
According to him, agriculture is a sector that cannot be exhausted if its potential is properly harnessed.
He said that it was only agricultural sector that had the capacity to absorb the teeming unemployed youths by providing a platform for mass food production for the populace.
“We could have devoted a substantial oil wealth into agriculture to have averted all these problems that we have been confronted with today.
“Though, It is not too late to do it because we can still project what Nigeria will be for another 100 years, therefore, it is not too late to go back and do the right thing.
“Agriculture is one sector that does not get tired with its practises; it does not get tired for investment.
“Today, we cannot feed ourselves successfully not because the soil cannot grow food, but our attitudes toward agriculture are not encouraging.
“I am appealing to policy makers to change their attitudes toward agriculture because agriculture is more than talking on television.
“It is more than discussing in the Radio and making front pages of newspapers, agriculture is practical.
“Although it is not late for us as a nation to retrace our steps and change our attitudes by projecting Nigeria for another 100 years to come.’’
He said that the problem of youth restiveness could only be addressed if agriculture could be adopted as a major source of wealth for Nigeria.
“Although, we cannot blame only the present government for subjecting our youths to this situation, but policy summersaults from past governments has affected the entire agriculture sector and the youth are at the receiving end.’’
He noted that the entire food production chain could involve millions of people, thereby creating wealth for them.
Mustapha also advised governments at all levels to adopt policy continuity for sustainability of programme for effective delivery.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.