Bello made this known in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Petra Akinti Onyegbule. He said the nation must bond together and take tough decisions to ensure economic rediscovery.
The Governor said it is imperative for Nigerians “to seize the current economic situation to reinvent the glory of the nation and work with their leaders to fix the economic challenges”.
He said, “The benefit of having a credible leader at this critical moment is key to taking the nation off the tray of recession. President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity is paramount to the drive to make the nation more dependent on agriculture. We must strengthen the capacity of agriculture to take centre-stage in our economy.
“Kogi State has shown a New Direction in economic development. Agriculture is our key to unlocking the limitless edaphic potentials of our state. More youth and women are now embracing agriculture, and in the next few years, Kogi State has the potential of becoming the food centre of the nation.
“Let me use this opportunity to urge the international business community to invest heavily in the agricultural sector of Nigeria. What the nation was spending on food importation is unacceptable, and today, we are paying the price for our inability to think outside the box that is oil.
“In all of these, Buhari remains the good news. His Economic Team possess the capacity to breathe life back into our economy. His fight against corruption and renewed efforts that have brought peace to North Eastern Nigeria have combined to rekindle the hope of the global community in what the nation is doing to be great again."
Governor Bello said the economic recession would soon become a thing of the past, urging Nigerians to become change agents by ensuring the change we seek involves and begins with each and every one of us.
“More than ever, we need to be united and supportive of government. We need fiscal discipline and proper prioritizing of projects and programs of government. We must move forward with unity and a renewed determination to reclaim our nation from over-dependence on crude oil," he said.
Signed: Petra Akinti Onyegbule
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
