African richest and Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has said Northern Nigeria will continue to remain poor except states governments move to close the development gap between the north and the south.

Dangote, who spoke at the 4th edition of the Kaduna Investment Summit (KadInvest 4.0) in Kaduna on Wednesday, berated Northern governors for doing little to end poverty in the region.

According to him: “Nigeria is ranked at 157th out of 189 countries on the human development index. While the overall socio-economic condition in the country is a cause for concern, the regional disparities are in fact very alarming.

“In the North Western and North Eastern parts of Nigeria, more than 60 per cent of the population lives in extreme poverty.

“It is instructive to know that the 19 Northern states which accounts for over 54 per cent of Nigeria’s population and 70 per cent of its landmass, collectively generate, only 21 per cent of the total subnational IGR in the year 2017.

“Northern Nigeria will continue to fall behind if the respective states governments do not move to close the development gap.

“And that is why we are always saying the biggest challenge that we have and what we have been praying for is to have 10 governors like Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to move the northern Nigeria forward.

“Closing the gap requires multi years investment and goverment will not be able to raise the require capital funding, only the private sector can raise the capital to fund the level of investment that this country needs.”

He went on: “Therefore, government must create the conducive environment that will trigger a huge inflow of private capital into attractive sectors of the economy.
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“Private investment will create jobs and will ameliorate the twin problem of poverty and unemployment.

“As more people are gainfully employed, you will witness a very sharp decline in some of the disturbing social vices prevalent in our society, especially among the youths.”

While urging other northern states to emulate Kaduna State Government in the investment drive, Dangote said aside the over $500 million investment El-Rufai’s goverment has attracted, Dangote Group is patnering Peugeot of France and Kaduna State government to establish multi-billion naira automobile assembly in Kaduna State.

He also disclosed Dangote Group will be considering investing in dairy production in Kaduna state, saying the trend of importing 98 per cent of milk consumed in Nigeria at the rate of $1.3 billion is unhealthy coupled with the fact that the imported milk is unhealthy.

http://thenationonlineng.net/dangote-north-will-remain-poor-except/?fbclid=IwAR0uf1H6CgqmHdZOp-e8kaIzYRKBZnJ3LjLoatdgMo_roth3IrIqXF8JAkU

Not just only the North.
Nigeria will remain disorder
Except fairness and equality becomes a way.

Poverty is part of their system.

Sorry for those who think Presidency equals for development should have a rethink.

Except they embrace western education

God bless Dangote. Bitter truth, Buhari sends his children to Ivy League schools but the Almajiri Schools that GEJ established, he abandoned, so that the illiterates will keep hailing him Sai Baba

Dangote should be sharing 20k each week to the northners

and he will see changes in them

Poverty in the north is self inflicted..... religion and archaic culture is the Trojan horse they use in causing more poverty n massive illiteracy over there.

Their leaders aren't helpful n the citizens don't have a mind of their own.

Spot on. Love the truth telling, but it should come with actions by the governors. Enough of the genuflecting to religious sentiments

It's about doing the right things not necessarily closing gaps. Closing gap with the south might also involve doing things to slow the south down which will not lead to progress.

They have started PACKAGING elrufi against 2013

19 northern states which accounts for 54% of nigerias population and 70% of its landmass only generates 21% of total subnational IGR for 2017.


Should we call it a big for nothing region?.

The only thing their leaders are good at is 'leeching' on the national resources via the usual powergrabs while ignoring the downtrodden people to their fate.

Northern leaders are the problem of the north and the earlier their educated youths revolts against their selfish political elites the better for their future.

And I still stand by my believe that it will be better for us all the country be restructed into regions or split up for each region / country to develop at its own paces so that those that want real development will go for it while those in love with religious extremism can likewise follow their own path.

nabiz:
They have started PACKAGING elrufi against 2013

Backward Never

I will forever be grateful to God for making me Igbo.

No insults meant.
No apologies.

Oh..I thought screaming Intergrity and Sai Baba admist signs of failure can alleviate the poverty for them In the North

Lol I bet nobody read past the headline to see what he suggested. Nobody wants to give credit to El Rufi for spurring investment. Anyway I see purget plant being a boon to Kaduna dry port. Any ports the need imported will be cleared there naturally. .

While urging other northern states to emulate Kaduna State Government in the investment drive, Dangote said aside the over $500 million investment El-Rufai’s goverment has attracted, Dangote Group is patnering Peugeot of France and Kaduna State government to establish multi-billion naira automobile assembly in Kaduna State.

“Closing the gap requires multi years investment and goverment will not be able to raise the require capital funding, only the private sector can raise the capital to fund the level of investment that this country needs.

jomonic:
It's about doing the right things not necessarily closing gaps. Closing gap with the south might also involve doing things to slow the south down which will not lead to progress.

that is wat they did from 1967 to 1999 wen they ruled as military dictators. They slowed the south down and enthroned poverty all over the country. A country that was withnessing great development in the south during regional era. They truncated the 4 regions with 12, 19, 21, 30 and 36 irrelivant states...all geared up towards giving north greater share of oil wealth from the south.

I read events that happened from 1945 to 1960 in Nigerian politics and realised that the problem called north didnt start today.

This may sound harsh, but the only thing they seem to be extraordinarily good at, based on my experience there,is the mass production of babies. That's all.

TheFreeOne:
19 northern states which accounts for 54% of nigerias population and 70% of its landmass only generates 21% of total subnational IGR for 2017.


Should we call it a big for nothing region?.

The only thing their leaders are good at is 'leeching' on the national resources via the usual powergrabs while ignoring the downtrodden people to their fate.

Northern leaders are the problem of the north and the earlier their educated youths revolts against their selfish political elites the better for their future.

And I still stand by my believe that it will be better for us all the country be restructed into regions or split up for each region / country to develop at its own paces so that those that want real development will go for it while those in love with religious extremism can likewise follow their own path.

@bolded, that will be very unlikely. Mainly because 1.they are relatively far fewer in number, and 2.a number of such educated youth are usually offspring of the ruling class and so benefit from the status quo.

“In the North Western and North Eastern parts of Nigeria, more than 60 per cent of the population lives in extreme poverty.

“It is instructive to know that the 19 Northern states which accounts for over 54 per cent of Nigeria’s population and 70 per cent of its landmass, collectively generate, only 21 per cent of the total subnational IGR in the year 2017.

As you said if 60% are in extream poverty so it's not like there's a big tax base to work with. There would need to be economic incentives to get companies to invest. They could simply copy whatever the top states are doing to attract investment.

Dangote Group will be considering investing in dairy production in Kaduna state, saying the trend of importing 98 per cent of milk consumed in Nigeria at the rate of $1.3 billion is unhealthy coupled with the fact that the imported milk is unhealthy.

Hmm alot of chatter about milk lately. Refrigerated trucks will be selling well.

alezzy13:


@bolded, that will be very unlikely. Mainly because 1.they are relatively far fewer in number, and 2.a number of such educated youth are usually offspring of the ruling class and so benefit from the status quo.

You may be right but we shouldnt rule out the possibility of a revolt cos therein lies the hope of the talakawas.

But if such fail to happen in the nearest future then southern nigeria risk being in serious danger as merchants of banditry, terrorism will expand their trade down south.

And unfortunately southern leaders aren't doing enough to forestall the danger staring us all in the face.

Their entitlement mentality is their downfall. Even the poorest of the poor are arrogant. FACT: Dangote hardly employs northerners enmasse because they will not work. Ask Dangote staff about the northerners that are there.

Nothing tangible to contribute. Just filling quota space and consuming salary. Same as they do everywhere

jomonic:
It's about doing the right things not necessarily closing gaps. Closing gap with the south might also involve doing things to slow the south down which will not lead to progress.

This is Yoruba style that has kept them backwards. To them its about doing everything to slow the eastern axis down and rally round lagos. Is this progress?