Policy implementation as major problem hindering Nigeria’s growth, development, says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has identified policy
implementation and not formulation as a major problem hindering
Nigeria’s growth and development.

Obasanjo made his thoughts known in Ibadan on Saturday at the
inauguration of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi Ring Road held at the
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

“Our problem in this country has always been that of
implementation. The 25-year Oyo State Government Agriculture Policy
Framework presented is a good thing.

“We have formulated several policies in the past that suffered
implementation. I hope your successor will implement it,” he
said.

The former president appealed to Ajimobi to allow the IITA
Director General to present the 25-year Agriculture Policy
Framework to the incoming governor of Oyo State.

He said that four major things, namely technology, research,
product and innovation were needed to make Oyo State the food
basket of the country were already in the state.

Read also: Obasanjo to govts: make private sector engine of
economic development

Obasanjo said that matching technology with finance and human
resources was one of the challenges facing agricultural
development.

He said, “If you go into agriculture you may not be rich like
Dangote, but you will be satisfied and comfortable.

“You will be comfortable because you are close to nature.”

Obasanjo, who said that a gap existed between research
institutes and farmers, called for the encouragement of
farmers.

“Every individual is a stakeholder in the agriculture
value-chain.

”If you are not a farmer, then you must be a consumer. If you
are not a farmer, you can encourage a farmer,” he said.

Obasanjo, who is also a goodwill ambassador of IITA, expressed
appreciation to Ajimobi for his support to the institute.

Ajimobi on his part expressed happiness that he was able to
develop a 25-year agricultural policy framework for Oyo State.

He expressed the hope that its implementation would transform
the agricultural sector.

He said that agriculture had the highest capacity to promote
industrialization by taking advantage of its rich value-chain.

“Oyo State is the best place to promote agriculture and it has
the largest concentration of agricultural research institutes in
Nigeria. This state is also the largest producer of cassava in
Nigeria.

“I am happy today to develop a 25-year Agriculture Policy
Framework for Oyo State. I am sure that the implementation of this
policy will place the state as the food basket of Nigeria,” he
said.

Earlier, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director-General, said the
rejuvenation of IITA facility in Nigeria was crucial to the
institute’s sustained efforts to transform agriculture on the
continent.

“We are excited to see a state in Nigeria showing the example by
supporting infrastructure in an international agricultural research
center. This is not common, and we commend the government and
people of Oyo State,” he said.

Sanginga also commended the government of Nigeria and the AfDB
for their support towards the construction of the building.

He added that it would accelerate the pace of research and
accommodate the best/critical human and material resource needed to
bring transformation to the agricultural sector.

The IITA DG said that the IITA station in Congo would be named
after Obasanjo in October.

Also among the speakers were Dr Alfred Dixon, IITA P4D Director
for Development and Delivery, Dr Robert Asiedu, IITA R4D Director,
West Africa as well as Prof Segun Adekunle, Special Adviser to Gov.
Abiola Ajimobi on Agriculture.

NAN reports that the event was attended by Mrs Florence Ajimobi
and members of the State Executive Council.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also
featured the inauguration of Agricultural Transformation Building
and Presentation of Oyo State Government Agricultural Policy
Framework (NAN)

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