Skip to main content

THE ECONOMY OF THE STATES OF THE NATION

Just recently, the Vanguard personality of the year awards were held in lagos. The event took place in Victoria Island and awards were presented to different people in different categories.

What I find notable in this awards was the presentation of performing governors of the year awards for 2016.
Four governors were presented with these awards and they are in no particular order, the governors of Kebbi, Cross River, Lagos and Anambra states. These awards presented were well deserved of the honouraries so awarded.

In case you are wondering why, let me reel out the accomplishments of the governors awarded in their various states.

Kebbi state: Implementation of agriculture in the quest for the self-sufficiency in food production agenda of the federal government. Producing rice and wheat in large quantities and providing jobs for about 600,000 people across that value chain.

Cross River: Execution of projects across the state and providing people-friendly opportunities for dwellers of the state.

Anambra state: Needs little or no introduction. W've all heard of the wonders happening in Anambra state. The state is close to achieving self-sufficiency in food production. In fact by the end of this year, it would have done just that. Last year alone, the state earned $5 million from the exportation of vegetables alone. Imagine if they could do more.The governor has also made strides in education, security, good roads and unemployment reduction.

Lagos state: The Lagos state governor was also awarded for maintaining Lagos state as the nation's centre for excellence as well the starting and execution of some landmark projects within the state.

What this article is about is the fact that four governors were recognized and awarded for outstanding achievements recorded in their individual states. Imagine the state of Nigeria's economy if all governors were to emulate these outstanding governors in areas like production of rice, wheat and vegetables, fulfilling the quest for self-sufficiency in food production and producing if not surpassing what their states would eat. There would be no need for the importation of rice and other foods anymore saving the country the much needed foreign exchange. Imagine the provision of jobs for the citizens of the state and the independence this could grant to the states. Imagine if they move from mere production of food crops to production of cash crops which are readily abundant in each state. Think of the revenue it could earn for states and citizens alike. Instead of running to Abuja every month to collect "allocation", why not develop the natural and human resources of their states? Please imagine. States will no longer owe salaries or run to Abuja each time for bailouts. Please let's start thinking in that direction.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE SILENCE OF OMISSION

Silence means consent, a certain school of thought holds. That means if you fail to speak up against anything wrong, you can be charged with supporting the wrong you failed to speak up about.

The End SARS Protests

I have been quiet since the end sars movement started. Not because I didn’t want to speak but because I was hoping for it to culminate into something tangible and bring about the positive change that a lot of Nigerians desired. I remember having a conversation about it with someone and I prayed that it would not spiral out of control. I wanted a positive change but I wasn’t prepared for the cost of laying down lives because I sensed that it was going to get to that should the protesters expand their agitation to good governance. The powers that be would not surrender without a fight and they have the resources of the government on their side. They would claim that the protesters wanted to topple a “democratically elected” president. And that would make it illegal. And what is democratic about a president who has refused to listen to the cries of the people?In their short memory however, they have forgotten that this same president came into power for the first time in 1985 after a coup...