During the Leadership Conference and Award ceremony held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s dependence on foreign aid, particularly in light of the recent crisis in Ukraine.
Addressing the audience, Governor Bago lamented the situation where Nigeria, a country with abundant resources, finds itself receiving grains from war-torn Ukraine. The Ukrainian government, amidst its own turmoil, generously donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat as emergency food assistance to help alleviate the plight of 1.3 million vulnerable individuals in Nigeria’s North-East region, grappling with escalating inflation and food price spikes.
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), echoed Governor Bago’s sentiments, describing it as disheartening and a national disgrace for Nigeria to rely on food donations from a country engulfed in conflict.
Governor Bago reiterated Obi’s stance, emphasizing that Nigeria must confront its economic challenges head-on and strive for self-sufficiency. He asserted, “We have no reason to be poor. People may not like you, but they must hear you. What you say is the gospel truth.”
Expressing his disdain for dependency on handouts and palliative measures, Governor Bago underscored the importance of productivity in lifting the nation out of poverty. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to prioritize domestic production to ensure food security and economic stability.
In conclusion, Governor Bago’s remarks underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to harness its vast resources and bolster domestic production to reduce dependence on foreign aid, especially during times of global crisis.
