“FIIRO DG Warns Against Relapse To Inflation, Advocates Agric Transformation

Acting Director General of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Chima Igwe has warned against letting the economy relapse to recession.

He said although Nigeria has been able to exit the quagmire but that there was need for the planners of the economy watch agains a relapse.

Igwe who spoke at the annual Agricultural Summit organised by Nigeria Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ) said the after effects of the economic challenge still lingered and needed to be guarded against.

“Upgrading and improving the agro-allied production and production processes, mining and other relevant manufacturing sectors, upgrading and improving the existing traditional and local technologies, making new discoveries and innovations through research and products and services development in all sectors of the economy,”

According to him, there was need for the country to transform its agriculture sector to enable her maximize its potentials,m to serve as agent of economic recovery and growth.

The Annual Agricultural Summit was themed: Bridging the Investment Gap in Agricultural through Information.

He added: “In the past few years, Nigeria and Nigerians experienced a sudden and significant drop in economic activities which led to the loss of the purchasing power of our currency, the Naira.

Although Nigeria has been able to exit the recession, the strangling effects might still be seen lingering with the possibilities of a relapse if the nation does not diversify.

“Upgrading and improving the agro-allied production and production processes, mining and other relevant manufacturing sectors, upgrading and improving the existing traditional and local technologies, making new discoveries and innovations through research and products and services development in all sectors of the economy,” Dr Chima said.

Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Dera Nnadi, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) said Nigerians needed to produce what they ate as a way of growing their economy.

Ali took pains to illustrate the peculiar challenges of policing the nation’s border inferring that the challenges before the security agencies were more than the average Nigerians knew.

He therefore urged for better appreciation of what lay before the customs rather being quick to pass judgements.

The Commissioner of Agriculture in Lagos, Prince Gbolahan Lawal appealed to Nigerians to key into the Agricultural revolution of federal government so that more jobs could be created.

He identified with others who underscored the point that great potentials lay ahead for Nigerians in the agric sector.

The Chairman of Elephant Group, Mr Tunji Owoeye added that the border closure has been opening doors of opportunities to Nigerian farmers. Meanwhile, Agricultural journalists later recognized the outstanding personalities that have contributed to Agricultural development in the country.”.