₦airaland Forum

See as I dey laf inside bus people think say I dey craz-y This is something else

Gbawe: Are you people for real? when is our constitution more amendable than when we have a PDP President, VP, senate President, Speaker house of rep and PDP majority representation in the upper and lower house? You guys should wake up and stop deceiving yourselves and embarrassing our nation with utterances that makes little sense !!!!

The PDP , publicly, loves to hide behind a "frustrating" constitution. Privately they love the constitution passionately and will do everything to maintain it because it allocates Nigeria's wealth to a small elite class. Okonjo Iweala is just sounding off because she knows most Nigerians are not clever enough to work out what is obvious. It is all good shouting about "the biggest Party" in Africa yet , hypocritically, we are to believe this 'giant', in total control of Nigeria, is unable to amend the constitution for the betterment of Nigeria. guys , come on. The thing no be rocket Science na . Okonjo Iweala, first and foremost, should attack the big-for-nothing PDP that cannot do anything positive for Nigeria despite enjoying majority control everywhere for the past decade.

I can't believe you said that sir, when did that fall under her jurisdiction or is she a rep to Lai Mohammed? The message is as clear as today's afternoon sky in Lagos unless we want to attack the messenger and forget the message.

Some Nigerians are like the Biblical Pharisees that killed all their prophets and yet expect a saviour. Check out all the comments above and u'll find only few that remember what the topic is all about. Our Governors are asking for all our income to be shared yet we are more interested in killing Okonjo. If we even succeed in taking her out of that office will it stop the Governors from wasted out income, or is that a light matter simply cos NOI was d one that said it?

Many of us here will instantly tell us how much Nigeria has in savings but who among us can tell of any Governor that has publicly stated how much they have in savings (Except perhaps Obi)? How prepared are our state governors for a possible drop in Oil earnings? Most of our Governors mistake savings for an amount that is yet to be spent which they have already budgeted anyways, most of our states run on deficit yet nothing concrete come out of them in term of development. This is why thay are not in a hurry to access the money and capital market because they don't have any financial backbone. Its high time we all collectively beam our searchlights on our states and not only at the center because as long as the states are falling apart, the center can never hold. How can a state not boast of the amount they have in savings, rather every month they head to Abuja to collect"Salary" and we all keep our focus only on NOI as if her office alone will save Nigeria?

It is not about what she has done to change the status-quo cos as long as we are "too weak" to confront our LG chairmen, Governors and Assembly members what ever she does will be sidelined as long as it doesn't favour them, many of her responsibility as far as an economist is concerned are merely advisory. She can not veto the decisions of the Executive council or that of the NA. How can we resigned to fate and then expect her to do wonders? I passed through a LG area today and couldn't help but imagine how many Billions of Naira pass through it yet they couldn't maintain their own building let alone the council area yet all of us belong to one LG or the other. I rest my case.

God Bless the OP. I remember cutting off my first closest female friend at the Uni cos She was desperate for sex. For one to stand against the pressure to go the popular way, I believe It'll be more of a sound personal conviction and the Grace of God, otherwise u'll join the bandwagon of those who say it can't be done. Thank God that years after that experience am still standing stronger, happier and in a more purposeful relationship. It gives one the opportunity to mix freely with the opposite sex without suspicions by your partner. Now I use my experience to encourage younger ones arround me that IT IS POSSIBLE.

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

“Those that say it can’t be done should get out of the way of those doing it”. (Chinese Proverb)

gidiMonsta: This man is using a final year students project to boost his yeye ego. Na wa for all this naija lecturers wey no sabi anything sef, all they do is chase after hot legs and give all their thesis and research works as project to student without any meaningful contribution from them, only to end up claiming d whole glory. Mschwww

If I were u I wouldn't say what am not sure of in public like this to avoid being labelled a hater, D you know d final yr student? If u do what is his name? The report said he is in for his PHD, didn't u get that?

A man spent 8yrs in Power and the first thing he did to celebrate his achievement was to mary a new wife, 13th for that matter. If each of them bears 4 children each that will be 52 children for one man. Which learned person behave like that let alone a governor?

patrikobi: I Bet his life ,Ibra is still counting ,hahahahahahhahaha foolery in the highest order...women shame on to you all...

Former Governor of Kogi State Ibrahim Idris on Friday tied the knot with his sweetheart Ramotu.

The new wife who is 27 years old became the 13th wife to former Gov. Ibrahim Idris.

Ramotu a business woman trading in Senegalese cloth, before she met her husband at the Presidential villa.

Mr Idris was the governor of Kogi state for eight years, before handing over to Idris Wada the current Governor.


http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/04/10/ex-kogi-governor-marries-13th-wife/


when the elites of the north live like this why wouldn't the north be poor?

Am only interested in seeing this work here whether invented or discovered . If it catches two politcians and 3 [b]pen[/b]tricians, corruption will drop by that number.

Nigeria to become 30th largest economy by 2014
Monday, 09 April 2012 00:00 Patrick Atuanya & Afego Pyemo
E-mail Print PDF
[Samir Gadio]

Samir Gadio

Nigeria’s expected rebasing of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year, to better reflect the structure of the economy, may catapult it to the[b] 30th largest economy in the world, from its current 40th position,[/b] according to BusinessDay findings. This will increasingly make Nigeria an investment destination and boost consumer stocks with the potential increase in GDP per capita.

Most governments overhaul GDP calculations every few years to reflect changes in output and consumption, such as mobile phones and internet usage, but Nigeria has not done so since 1990, suggesting that the previous GDP framework underestimated economic activities.

When Ghana’s GDP was rebased in 2010, the size of its economy was found to be 60 percent bigger than previously recorded, $31 billion, compared to $18 billion. Nigeria ’s current nominal GDP for 2011 is $247 billion, according to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and a similar 60 percent rise would bring it to $395.2 billion, making it the 30th largest economy in the world, as at the end of 2011, just behind South Africa ($422 billion), Austria ($425 billion) and Argentina ($435 billion).

The rebasing would also entrench Nigeria’s position as the second largest economy in Africa, making it likely to surpass South Africa as early as 2014.

Yvonne Mhango, analyst at Renaissance Capital (Rencap), said: “If Nigeria ’s GDP is upwardly revised by the same magnitude as Ghana ’s was in 2010, 60 percent, then we can expect Nigeria ’s economy to surpass the size of the sedately growing South African economy, as soon as 2014.”

Yvonne Mhango also notes in her research release that a bigger GDP would take Nigeria ’s consolidated tax revenues as a percentage of GDP down to 17 – 22 percent from its current level of 25 percent and lower than the average for sub-Sahara Africa , implying room for improvement.

Other macro-economic ratios will be affected too. On the positive side, Mhango predicts that Nigeria ’s public debt to GDP ratio – already lower than most countries in sub-Sahara Africa – will fall to 10.5-14.5 percent, from 17.3 percent at the end of 2011.

Samir Gadio, emerging markets strategist at Standard Bank, London, also informs in a note to BusinessDay, “Obviously, we can only speculate at this stage on the magnitude of the upward revision in Nigeria’s output and whether the other shortcomings in the existing GDP estimates will be addressed, the implication of the rebasing is that GDP per capita will subsequently increase, making Nigeria a more attractive investment case and potentially boosting consumer stocks.”

That said, Nigeria’s GDP per capita currently at $1,615 still trails those of many other economies on the African continent and while the rebasing would be an overall positive, it could also lead to lower economic ratios.

Samir Gadio explains further, that on the fiscal side, the revenue-to-GDP ratio will decline, but so will the overall fiscal position of the government.

Continuing, he said, the current account surplus will also decrease, which may not be positively perceived by offshore accounts looking at the country’s external dynamics, especially as the current account balance has already been substantially downsized in recent years in the official data, due to an unexplained increase in imports.

The new GDP figure is expected any moment from now. Yemi Kale, Statistician- General, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said in an interview in January, “We are still working on it. Unfortunately there was a lot of work that should have been done during the period of the fuel subsidy strike, so we have been set back by a couple of weeks. We are still hoping that we might be able to complete this before the end of the quarter, I was hoping to release this number by the last week in January”.

http://businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/news/76-hot-topic/35666-gdp-rebasing-to-make-nigeria-30th-largest-economy-

Why should we be argueing blindly in this 21st century, if u think the statistics is wrong why not goolge and back up ur claim with facts. There is a huge difference btw economic growth and economic development that is why China has been consistently leading the world in Economic growth for almost a decade now yet poor in economic development. China is currently the second largest economy in the world yet not a developed country. To the best of my knowledge the Nigerian economy has been posting a GDP growth of above 6% for the past 6yrs and that is a fact otherwise these statements would have been countered by the likes of IMF and WB. I only wish we can translate these figures to economic development.

Was it poverty that made BH bomb UN building? These Americans are up to something. Let them come to my LG and see an entire LG area that until recently (cos of oil discovery) could not boast of a single KM of tarred rd, could only boast of electricity in just one villa, where the communities had to on their own build its Primary and Secondary schools, renovates its primary health care etc. Should we then go and blow up d LG and State govt houses cos we were neglected? Nonsense! If the northern leaders can donate 5% of their wealth both genuine and stolen to their region, that region can become an eldorado.

God knows that I'll always be proud of this country. Since I don't expect the govt to make me rich why should I be frustrated by their inactivity? Did my father expect Aso Rock to feed us when he gave birth to me? If some people like let them hate 9ja, wherever they go and their country of Origin is required, they will still fill 9ja. Our problem has always been looking for who to blame for our failures, if not the govt its our leaders forgeting that we are also leaders in one area or the other. If I fail tomorrow, it'll be mainly cos of my inability to do what I should'v done not cos of a corrupt politician in aso rock. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't hold our govt accountable for what they should do but knowing that if foreigners make it here, then their is something good that we are overlooking.

Its funny that I made my greatest kill in the Stock market when the chips were down funny enough from penny stocks (Oceanic and Inter) a yr ago. Even though I recorded some losses too but am ever ready to play more. I believe the secret is short term, Long term has been my greatest disappointment.

I see nothing wrong with rebasing especially if it's a global best practice.

ismhab: where are the people accusing sanusi lamido sunusi for making donation? Come see this he-goat soludo dashing billion of cash free and no body is complaining.

Did you not read where he said that it's ONLY the president that can authorise the CBN governor to disburse such amount? Common sense will tell you that no CBN gov has d right to stop an express order from the president. Am waiting to see how OBJ will react to this especially now that Rice was privy to his evil agenda. By the way, why should an old man who is closer to his grave than before lie publicly like this?

Nigeria to become 30th largest economy by 2014
Monday, 09 April 2012 00:00 Patrick Atuanya & Afego Pyemo
E-mail Print PDF
[Samir Gadio]

Samir Gadio

Nigeria’s expected rebasing of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year, to better reflect the structure of the economy, may catapult it to the 30th largest economy in the world, from its current 40th position, according to BusinessDay findings. This will increasingly make Nigeria an investment destination and boost consumer stocks with the potential increase in GDP per capita.

Most governments overhaul GDP calculations every few years to reflect changes in output and consumption, such as mobile phones and internet usage, but Nigeria has not done so since 1990, suggesting that the previous GDP framework underestimated economic activities.

When Ghana’s GDP was rebased in 2010, the size of its economy was found to be 60 percent bigger than previously recorded, $31 billion, compared to $18 billion. Nigeria ’s current nominal GDP for 2011 is $247 billion, according to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and a similar 60 percent rise would bring it to $395.2 billion, making it the 30th largest economy in the world, as at the end of 2011, just behind South Africa ($422 billion), Austria ($425 billion) and Argentina ($435 billion).

The rebasing would also entrench Nigeria’s position as the second largest economy in Africa, making it likely to surpass South Africa as early as 2014.

Yvonne Mhango, analyst at Renaissance Capital (Rencap), said: “If Nigeria ’s GDP is upwardly revised by the same magnitude as Ghana ’s was in 2010, 60 percent, then we can expect Nigeria ’s economy to surpass the size of the sedately growing South African economy, as soon as 2014.”

Yvonne Mhango also notes in her research release that a bigger GDP would take Nigeria ’s consolidated tax revenues as a percentage of GDP down to 17 – 22 percent from its current level of 25 percent and lower than the average for sub-Sahara Africa , implying room for improvement.

Other macro-economic ratios will be affected too. On the positive side, Mhango predicts that Nigeria ’s public debt to GDP ratio – already lower than most countries in sub-Sahara Africa – will fall to 10.5-14.5 percent, from 17.3 percent at the end of 2011.

Samir Gadio, emerging markets strategist at Standard Bank, London, also informs in a note to BusinessDay, “Obviously, we can only speculate at this stage on the magnitude of the upward revision in Nigeria’s output and whether the other shortcomings in the existing GDP estimates will be addressed, the implication of the rebasing is that GDP per capita will subsequently increase, making Nigeria a more attractive investment case and potentially boosting consumer stocks.”

That said, Nigeria’s GDP per capita currently at $1,615 still trails those of many other economies on the African continent and while the rebasing would be an overall positive, it could also lead to lower economic ratios.

Samir Gadio explains further, that on the fiscal side, the revenue-to-GDP ratio will decline, but so will the overall fiscal position of the government.

Continuing, he said, the current account surplus will also decrease, which may not be positively perceived by offshore accounts looking at the country’s external dynamics, especially as the current account balance has already been substantially downsized in recent years in the official data, due to an unexplained increase in imports.

The new GDP figure is expected any moment from now. Yemi Kale, Statistician- General, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said in an interview in January, “We are still working on it. Unfortunately there was a lot of work that should have been done during the period of the fuel subsidy strike, so we have been set back by a couple of weeks. We are still hoping that we might be able to complete this before the end of the quarter, I was hoping to release this number by the last week in January”.

http://businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/news/76-hot-topic/35666-gdp-rebasing-to-make-nigeria-30th-largest-economy-investment-destination

Does this mean that Vision 20 2020 is possible afterall?

Having come this far, it will not be wise to lose what you spent yrs to build. Am sure u don't expect someone who lost his/her virginity at 16 to give u an encouraging advice or to appreciate ur person. Yes, virginity alone may not gv a happy marriage but it certainly helps and thank God you'v met Christ. Understand that ur not alone in this cos what ur passing 2ru is common to humans but only those that endure to d end... Am sure u'v seen d advice u desire among the many already given. Beware cos once u do it once, ur likely to do it again until God knows when. Best of luck!

Having come this far, it will not be wise to lose what you spent yrs to build. Am sure u don't expect someone who lost his/her virginity at 16 to give u an encouraging advice or to appreciate ur person. Yes, virginity alone may not gv a happy marriage but it certainly helps and thank you'v met Christ. Understand that ur not alone and what ur passing 2ru is common to humans but only those that endures to d end... Am sure u'v seen d advice u desire among the many already given. Best of luck!

Joe Mosco: This is an ethical issue, thus, from all I deduce, i want to state the facts of the case.
(1)GEJ coplained of the poor nature of the church in his home town.
2) it was not a direct plea to anyone....
3) A firm responded.....
So, put yourself in GEJ's shoes, would you ask that the house be pulled down??

I doubt if some of the people complaining actually read the statement from the president. GEJ simply said that the church in question is not befitting of the church of a president and a company that heard that decided to renovate it. I still can not figure out how that statement is equivalent to asking for a bribe.

I percieve hypocricy in this call for impeachment, it could'v even been better if it ended as "ACN condemns donation". Where was ACN when state govts (Abia and Kastina) use public fund to build mosques across the state? Are they not controversial enough? They better don't stir up an unnecessary political crises in the country.


[b]As part of efforts aimed at promoting religion in Katsina, the State Government says it has spent N20 million in the construction of 12 Jumat mosques as well as direct the 34 council areas to construct three mosques each in their respective areas. Also, the state government has donated sum of N10 million as contribution for the reconstruction of another Jumat mosque in Dandume local government area of the state.

Speaking during presentation of two cheques of N5 million each to the reconstruction committee, Special Adviser to state government on Community Development, Abubakar Bindawa said the donation was in fulfilment of promise earlier made by the state government. The special adviser, represented by a director in the department, Adamu Abdul, expressed commitment of the state government towards promoting Islamic and other religious activities across the state.

Meanwhile, the special adviser has inspected the ongoing construction of a Jumat mosque in Kankara council area; the project was initiated by the local community before the state government stepped in to assist. He said the state plans to assist a community in Malumfashi council area for the reconstruction of another Jumat mosque as well as help other communities within the state to construct or reconstruct major mosques and give more praying space for Muslim faithful.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/religion/9088.html[/b]

We have more challenging issue that this tale by the moonlight. If the company works in the town what stops them from carring out what they think is their social responsibilty? During the subsidy palava, everyone shouted about the allowances of our NA members now nobody remembers it not even out ACN watchdogs.

Always seizing weapons without telling us who is behind them. Who is dat person that said Northerners are killed more? Mcheeew!

This case is like a double edged sword. we may not deny that d company could hv alterior motive for it's action bt that is d negative side of every corporate social responsibility. Companies that engage in CSR usually expect to derive a certain benefit either directly or indirectly and this particular one may not be an exception that is why am not in a hurry to call it a bribe. Some companies even do it and publicise it in the media for public awareness. If we accuse d president of collecting bribe we'll as well accuse every Oil Company that builds a school in a Niger-Delta Village of bribery and corruption. No CSR is done without alterior motives.

santanovva: Saying that †ђξ President 'solicited' for †ђξ 'church gift' in my own opinion is preposterous yet you can not rule out †ђξ fact that Otuoke got †ђξ church because of †ђξ President!

†ђξ corporate social responsibility story of Abati here doesn't hold any water.how come,amoung all †ђξ states †ђξ Construction company has been working,it was †ђξ President's State,town and even village that 'qualified' for †ђξ CSR?

†ђξ attempt to bring in †ђξ Abuja millenium park into †ђξ story is also damning.Do you know of any of our Presidents who came from Abuja? Abuja is a neutral ground,†ђξ millenium park is a gift with neutral intentions,a gift to Nigeria while I can't say †ђξ same for †ђξ Otuoke gift.

Knowing †ђξ tribalistic and nepotic disposition of Nigerians to developmental projects/issues, I believe GEJ should have declined †ђξ gift.

And its not as if †ђξ CAN are saints either!

Pls what do u mean by "GEJ should hv declineed"? Do u mean he should hv sent buldozers to demolish d church or uproot it and take it to the company's HQs? This opposition party is becoming too childish, very soon they will ask Mr President to divorce his wife for embarrasing us with her English.

Am finding it hard to believe that she waited upto 30mins cos how can someone wait for that long without calling her own husband on phone? its not plausible to me. There is a possibility that the timing was exagerated. If the Oga could answer a securityman's call how about his own wife's? How can a wife who forgot to call before coming still forget to call when d husband failed to open his door for that long? How I wish we can hear d otherside of d story cos I believe that it's not all men that are cheats. The husband may hv looked funny cos he knew what she maybe thinking. Mind you, am nt making excuses for cheats but the evidence seems doctored to me.

GISITT: By Tukeni Obasi

Before President Goodluck Jonathan released the list of his ministerial nominees in early July Nigerians were anxious to see which technocrats he was bringing on board to help deliver on his promise of national transformation especially in key national sectors. His nomination of Dr Akinwumi Adesina – agricultural economist, academic, development thinker, entrepreneur, research consultant and international icon – for the strategic agriculture ministry drew positive attention in various quarters. And by the time Adesina appeared for screening before the Senate, his expertise, achievements and vision for agriculture in Nigeria left no one in doubt that this was a perfect choice..

Educational/Professional Background

Akinwumi Adesina began his agricultural journey in the 1970s at Obafemi Awolowo University- then University of Ife- where he studied agricultural economics. Nigeria’s oil era was already underway, and agriculture was losing its place as the mainstay of the economy. In an era when industrialization and modernization had become the buzzwords, agriculture was considered retrograde and students of agriculture were sometimes derided as “old school”. Yet, Adesina’s unwavering passion for agriculture kept him focused. His dedication and hard work paid off when he graduated with a First Class Honours. He went on to earn a PhD in agricultural economics from Purdue University, USA.

An agricultural economist by discipline, young Adesina particularly explored and thrived in the world of agricultural research. He held various research positions at the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA), and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Combining his expertise as a researcher and an economist, he also actively engaged the international development world as an Africa spokesperson in the field of agriculture, serving as a senior scientist for the Rockefeller Foundation, and later leading the agri-entreprise program at the foundation, aimed at raising the incomes and improving the practices of rural farmers.

The Model

Over the years, Adesina has proven himself to be a great model not only to those seeking a career in agriculture but to many Nigerians – young and old – in pursuit of great dreams. Possessing strong leadership qualities, he has demonstrated remarkable leadership in different fields, distinguishing himself as part of Africa’s Cheetah Generation.





Innovation: Adesina’s dedication and commitment to the agricultural sector has made him not only a learner and a worker but also an innovator and a bonafide leader, leveraging resources and expertise, combining existing practices with novel ideas, taking risks, identifying problems and transforming them into boons. He was one of the big brains behind the Africa Fertilizer Summit, which sought to

Build consensus around the key issues that affect fertilizer use in Africa.
Agree on a strategy to develop an Africa Fertilizer Action Plan, which would be the roadmap for improving access, affordability and incentives for fertilizer use by millions of poor African farmers.
He played an important role in designing the soil health policies that were adopted during that Summit by the African Union (and individual African States), the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and various other international bodies.

In 2010, Adesina was appointed along with prominent figures such as Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile; Jeffrey Sachs of the Columbia Institute; Ted Turner, Founder of CNN; Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft; and Mohammed Yunus, founder of the international renowned Grameen Bank to the seventeen-man United Nations MDGs Advocacy Group. According to Ban Ki-Moon, the appointees were people “who had shown outstanding leadership in promoting the implementation of the MDGs.” As a member of the group, Adesina was tasked with the responsibility of leading a think tank on MDG 1- to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger.

Communication and Collaboration:

In much of his work, Adesina has underscored the importance of partnerships and dialogue. As Vice-President of Policy and Partnerships of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, he made the promotion of dialogue among the different stakeholders in agriculture a key objective of his work. He emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the public and private sectors to engage in conversation about best practices and develop a better understanding of the needs and challenges in agriculture. He has organized various symposia and summits at international and local levels to create awareness and promote dialogue in agriculture. At many of these fora, he has advocated, consistently and compellingly, an Africa-driven agenda for a green revolution.

Expertise:

Dr. Adesina’s decades of experience and excellence in the fields of agriculture, development policy and rural development have earned him distinction not only as a development worker but also as a trusted authority in Africa’s agricultural development. Thus, international governmental organizations, such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank (ADB) continually seek his expert advice on several issues. His opinion are trusted because he has lived and worked at both international and grassroots levels.



Laurels:

Given Dr. Adesina’s distinguished career and impressive achievements, it is no surprise that he has been acknowledged and honoured in local and international circles. Among the many accolades he has received is the Yara Prize for African Green Revolution, awarded for his innovative work in agricultural enterprise which gave millions of farmers access to farm inputs through stable agricultural nodes and networks. Adesina also been honoured with the prestigious Purdue University’s College of Agriculture Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award “for his inspiring leadership in spearheading transformative change in African agriculture.”



Tasks ahead



With his new appointment to President Jonathan’s cabinet, Adesina faces an enormous challenge. He has been tasked with the responsibility of revamping Nigeria’s agricultural sector. This is one sector of Nigeria’s economy that has fallen outrageously short of its awesome potential, a scar on the face of the country and, in more ways than one, her biggest development disappointment.



At his inaugural meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture in Abuja, he revealed with dismay that “the Federal Government spent over N99 trillion on food importation between 2007 and 2010”, importing in 2010 alone, “wheat worth N635 billion, spent N356 billion on importation of rice, N217 billion on sugar and N97 billion on fish.” He recalled with nostalgia and deep regret, the glory days of agriculture when Nigeria was a leading exporter of cocoa, palm oil, groundnut, groundnut oil and other major cash crops. The financial implications of this troubling trend were not lost on the new minister: he pointed out that the current trend was not sustainable and poses fiscal challenges for Nigeria’s fast growing economy; he added that this trend was destroying the local industry and eroding the real incomes of poor and rural farmers.



Paradigm Shift in Agriculture

Moving right on from the troubling figures, Adesina affirmed his commitment to the cause of transforming agriculture in Nigeria and outlined his course of action towards that goal. Two outstanding quotes revealed his determination to get things done:



“I will never let Nigerian down. As minister of Agriculture, working closely with the Minister of State, we will never let the farmers of Nigeria down. We will revamp the agricultural sector. We will accelerate food production in clear and visible ways that will impact the lives of our people, and we will begin the hard work of restoring the lost glory of agriculture in Nigeria.”

“We must accelerate domestic rice production and improve on processing to meet quality standards. We must tap into all the resources of our farmers across our nation and deliver a green revolution for rice that will make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production.”



In this day and age of social entrepreneurship, where sustainable business models are seen as key to economic growth, Dr. Adesina- as an agricultural economist- has expressed that this is also true for agriculture. Calling for a paradigm shift from treating agriculture as a development or social service field to treating it as a basket of opportunities and a field of vast potential, he maintains that agriculture is a business and must be structured, developed, resourced and financed as such.” We will develop and transform the sector as a business that works for small farmers, medium and large scale farmers, that will unlock wealth and allow Nigeria to meet its food needs, while becoming a major player in global food markets, to help diversify income for the nations”, he promised.





Challenges and Prospects

As Dr. Adesina sets out to fulfill the towering task before him, he would do well to remain firm, disciplined and transparent in all his activities. In a system that has been mired in corruption, greed, inefficiency and lethal power politics, numerous factors and interests will conspire relentlessly to subvert the minister’s vision and firmness in agricultural policy. As Niccolo Machiavelli observed about change in his classic, The Prince, “all those who profit from the old order will be opposed to the innovator, whereas all those who might benefit from the new order are, at best, tepid supporters of him”. Adesina’s ability to achieve his goals will depend on how well he is able to manage and overcome these challenges, while working in constructive partnerships with all actors and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including farmers, retailers and consumers.

All in all, the appointment of such a distinguished fellow, remarkable Nigerian and great role model is great news for Nigeria and for all stakeholders in the agricultural industry. Innovator, economist, development thinker, international consultant, public speaker, rural activist, Akin Adesina is more than competent to lead the Green Revolution in Nigeria. It is our hope that Dr Adesina will continue to stand out as an agent of agricultural change and a symbol of genuine transformation in the Nigerian government.

http://www.harambefarmland.com/?p=812

What has he done since he took over the ministry with such great CV?

bisobiz: Am. So surprise why you guys are not mentioning minister of foreign affairs,@ least he has done so well trying τ̅☺ position this country with a diplomatic right or have you forgotten the south africa saga so soon. Youth and ICT those two dudes are trying too

I was thinking d aviation minister was to take d praise, was it foreign affairs?

The husband should hv opened earlier than he did but is there really nothing else in the world that could hv held him back except 3ex?

Phrankin: I'm sorry, but i completely disagree with you.

sorry, I completely agree wt him. Most times influncing posting is where many young graduates get initiated into d real world of corruption. @OP that's a great story, my own experince was at Sagamu Orientation camp where someone I met for d first time found a waist bag containing huge amount and in my presence located the owner who was already in tears. Another person in my hostel whom we call CSO found a BB and called d owner who happened to be a lady to pick it up. There are still great Nigerians around.

Phrankin: I'm sorry, but i completely disagree with you.

sorry, I completely agree wt him. Most times influncing posting is where many young graduates get initiated into d real world of corruption.

Pls anyone who is nominating should say exactly what the person did. For me its 1. Aviation Minister: for once I see 9ja talk like a giant and nations I taught had balls listened by force. 2. Minister for Power: I personally felt what 9ja can be when the power challenge is finally resolved. 3. Minister for Youths and sports: this new NYSC policy seem to curtail some level of curruption in that ministry atleast for now. Some people nominated Agric Minister, can some one actually remind me what he did abag?

Thats courageous of her, She has d right to challenge the governors cos what Uwazurike did was what they supposed to do. I remember that during the election crises, some state Governors had to send vehicles up north to rescue the Corpers from their states alone. Some state governors went as far as chartering air planes for their corpers so what is wrong in asking the SE state Governors to come to the rescue of their people in the face of impending death and extermination?
Yes Southers were attacked but no southern zone suffered half of what SE suffered in BH casualties, I stand to be corrected.

I pity Sanusi, this man will come for his pound of flesh. But it's sad to lose ur investment due to d policies of a political appointtee.