Economy
Poor Technology Dev Contributing to Nigeria Economic Woes-Lasun Yusuff
By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yusuf Lasun has identified poor technological development as part of the problems contributing to the economic woes of Nigeria.
Lasun made this known in Osogbo, the state capital of Osun during empowerment programme he organized for 500 farmers and youths of the state.
The Deputy Speaker stated that the only way Nigeria could deal with and get out of recession is for Nigerians to begin to add value to locally made products to meet international standard and acceptance.
Suggesting mass participation by the Nigerian youths in livestock and crop farming as a panacea to current economic quagmire, Lasun expressed optimism that things would soon be back to normal in the country.
He noted the president Muhammad Buhari has been hammering on the stimulation of the economy since the inception of his administration, saying the only way to stimulate the economy was to invest heavily in the productive sector of the economy, which is agriculture.
Lasun explained that the decision to empower the farmers and youths was borne out of the ideas of stimulating economy, stressing the need for governments at all levels and other stakeholders to embrace farming and give needed assistance to farmers in order to encourage them.
The Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament who called for mass participation in agriculture by all and sundry said with the current economic downturn, there is need for every Nigerian to embrace agriculture as means of economic development.
He further explained that active participation in agriculture by Nigerian masses especially youths would help build the nation as well as developing scientific and technological innovation.
Mass production of food in Nigeria would improve the country’s exchange rate, he said.
Commenting on the alleged importation of “Garri” from India, Lasun said there was nothing like made in India “Garri” only Nigerian “Garri” packaged by Indians.
He explained that the Indians only took the advantage of packaging the product in a modern way, the opportunity which he believed ought to have been taken by Nigerians long ago
On the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Deputy Speaker assured Nigerians that the President would soon return to the country, citing his age as the reason for long rest.