Obasanjo Reveals Nigeria’s Major Problem

Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday revealed one of the major problems that has continued to hinder development in Nigeria.

Obasanjo, who spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Saturday during the inauguration of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi Ring Road, said the major problem is policy implementation and not formulation.

At the event which held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Obasanjo said, “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.”

The former president used the opportunity afforded by the event to also urge the outgoing government of Ajimobi to allow the IITA director general present the 25-year Agriculture Policy Framework to the incoming governor of the state.

According to him, the state already has technology, research, product and innovation, which he said are four major things needed to make Oyo State the food basket of the country.

While adding that when technology is supported with finance and human resources the challenge facing agricultural development will be addressed, Obasanjo 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.

“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 added, “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. 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”.