The United States has urged Nigerians to invest in the resources that abound in Nigeria, saying, the country is blessed with a lot of human and natural resources that could boost the economy if well harnessed.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington who gave the advice on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan said that tapping into the country’s resources and investing in them would improve the economy.
He said, “Nigeria is filled with places, creatures of beauty; the citizens should appreciate God’s blessings in the country and guard the resources jealously.
“Every Nigerian should think of no other thing than what can be done to improve Nigeria and make it better.”
He also said that IITA’s research initiatives were highly commendable, especially in the development of agriculture in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Earlier, the IITA Director-General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, had noted that the institute plays a vital role in revitalising agriculture in Africa.
“For instance, 86 per cent of cassava planted in Nigeria originate from IITA; it’s a pity that Nigeria spends a lot of money importing what we can produce in the country,” he said.
Sanginga also said IITA engages youths in agriculture through its agri-prenuer programme, urging Nigeria to improve its agriculture sector in order to attract youths into farming.
“We need to change the mindset of Nigerians about agriculture; there is need to make agriculture a business and not just a hobby,” he said.
