Editors proffer solutions to Nigeria’s economic crisis

The current recession in the country notwithstanding, the economy can still stage a comeback if adequate attention is paid to the agricultural sector.

At the 12th All Nigerian Editors’ Conference, which ended on Saturday, the Nigerian Guild of Editors noted that the sector is the most viable option for reviving the economy, creating employment and ushering in prosperity.
Themed, Economic Diversification: Agriculture As Option For A Prosperous Nigeria, the conference, held in Port Harcourt, was declared open by Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and was chaired by former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba.

Deliberations concluded, Guild’s president, Funke Egbemode, and general secretary, Victoria Ibanga, in a statement, noted that Nigeria’s economy is in crisis due to over dependence on oil and gas, and that the only credible panacea is diversification. The Guild observed that agriculture has suffered serious neglect as a result of negative mindset, reliance on outdated methods and underfunding.
It, therefore, urged government to evolve or strengthen policies that protect local farmers against the influx of foreign agricultural products, and encourage local production for food sufficiency and processing of raw materials for export

It called for skills needed for agricultural production to be stressed above mere certification, in order to redirect the consciousness of Nigerians, especially the youth, towards modern, technology-driven agriculture.
The Guild tasked government to recapitalise and make more functional the Bank of Agriculture and other institutions relevant to agricultural programmes.
It also called for the formation of more farmers’ co-operative societies, while those already in existence should be strengthened to improve their productivity. States were encouraged to collaborate in agricultural production and processing.

The Guild, furthermore, lamented decline in the quality of journalism practice and non-adherence to ethics, urging editors to redress the situation in their respective organisations.
Meanwhile, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday, congratulated Egbemode on her confirmation as president of the Guild and urged her to lead change needed in the profession, with a view to making it responsive and development-centred.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Saraki urged the Guild to join hands with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other relevant stakeholders, to rid the profession of quacks and impostors.

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