Why Nigeria’s economy is not growing – Obaseki

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Godwin Obaseki

Dr. Godwin Obaseki, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Edo state has described importation as the major problem impeding the economic growth of Nigeria.

Obaseki who is supported by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, spoke on ‎Thursday at a one-day seminar organised by the Edo Accord Initiative (EAI), themed; “Edo state in the eye of the present economic downturn/the future.”

The governorship hopeful who decried what he called ‘unhealthy preference’ for foreign-made goods said the major problem confronting Edo state in particular and the nation at large is unemployment, adding that, it would be difficult for the country to make economic progress if it does not develop and encourage home made products.

“How many of what we are wearing here today are made in Nigeria? Every money we make in this country is spent on importation. Until we change this our attitude of importation, we will remain poor,” he said.

“Many of t‎he nation’s manufacturers in the past are now out of business because of our culture of importation. We must do something about importation.

“Government must provide a bailout to the people. Government must provide infrastructure and the enabling ‎environment to drive industry. But most important of all is power,” he said.

He assured that the Azura power project cited in Benin, would be capable of providing enough‎ power for the entire state when completed next year, which he said would enable industrialisation to strive.

He however urged youth and community‎ associations across the state to show that they are desirous of the presence of investors by embracing them with open arms instead of disturbing them.

‎Also speaking at the seminar, Professor Eddy Erhagbe of the Department of History and International Studies, University of Benin, who spoke on the theme; “The role of good governance in economic development and industrialisation,” said whoever truly desires to impact on good governance and turn around the economic situation of the country, must visit and implement the recommendations of the Constitutional Conference set up by the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

He disclosed that it is really possible to improve food production through mechanisation and modernisation of agriculture, to meet the modern day challenges and needs.

The university don noted that for a true continuity in governance in Edo state to be, it must be by people who worked with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to achieve what he has achieved in the state.

He however urged the youths who insist on securing white collar jobs ‎to face the reality by exploring new opportunities in agriculture, adding that “our degrees are supposed to help to know how people in developed countries use theirs to develop their places and replicate same here.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman and Founder‎ of Edo Accord Initiative, Dennis Idahosa, said the theme of the seminar is apt, in view of the downward turn the economy has taken in recent times.

He urged members of the Initiative to give their unalloyed support ‎to the aspiration of Godwin Obaseki in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, to ensure continuity in governance to the benefit of Edo people.