Mr Lukman Kareem, a financial expert, says economic diversification is important for the country to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s plan of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
Kareem said this while reacting to the president’s 60th Independence Anniversary’s speech on Thursday.
He spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
Kareem said that not every region was blessed to have oil, but every region and state had unique natural resources.
He said that each state should identify such potential and leverage them for accelerated development.
“Nigerians are creative, all we need is an enabling environment to thrive.
“Who says if Ajaokuta steel rolling becomes active, revenue thereof will not be more than oil?
“What about our coal in Enugu, what about the gold and other mineral resources in Zamfara?
“What happens to fabrics and shoe factory in Aba?
“All we need as a country is to look inward and utilise our potential.
“We are endowed and it is possible to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years, if all these are well harnessed,” he said
The expert commended the president for laying a strong foundation that would make the country great again.
He said the president’s effort to ban importation of rice which led to promotion of local production in the country was commendable.
Kareem said though the price of rice was high currently, he was optimistic that it would eventually come down.
Edited By: Oluwole Sogunle
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