ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has declared his administration’s goal to position Nigeria as a leading agricultural export nation by 2025.
During remarks made at the “Road to South-South National Convergence for Renewed Hope Agenda” event, President Tinubu, represented by Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, emphasized the incredible potential of the South-South region to transform Nigeria through its diverse human and material resources. The gathering took place at the Old Banquet Hall in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu highlighted the significance of the event as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s economic transformation journey. “We are launching the ‘National Convergence for the Renewed Hope Agenda’ as a strategic blueprint for national development, with the South-South region leading a new economic renaissance,” he stated. He underscored the area’s abundant resources that extend beyond oil and gas, as well as its rich culture and exceptional talent in various fields that have garnered international attention.
The President pointed out that harnessing these resources could unlock Nigeria’s transformative capabilities. He introduced the initiative “Earn from the Soil,” which aims to advance food security by transitioning subsistence farming into lucrative, export-oriented economic ventures. This initiative is designed to enhance the agricultural landscape and ensure national food security.
Tinubu expressed a commitment to support the project, asserting, “By 2025, we will position Nigeria as a leading agricultural export nation.” He emphasized the administration’s aim of empowering citizens to become agents of economic prosperity, rejecting traditional aid in favor of strategic partnerships that can revitalize the country’s economic ecosystem.
In his appeal to both local and international investors, he declared that the South-South region is ready for business. “We are crafting an ecosystem of opportunity, innovation, and sustainable development,” he remarked. He particularly encouraged the youth and women of the South-South to seize these new opportunities for self-reliance, stating they are vital to the region’s impending transformation.
“My promise was to renew and restore hope and confidence among Nigerians, and I am fulfilling that promise here today,” he added.
The event also featured remarks from Hon. Gift Johnbull, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the South-South, who highlighted the region’s vast economic potential and the need for strategic partnerships to fully unlock its resources. She discussed the region’s significant contributions to the nation, especially within the oil and gas sectors, while emphasizing the exciting opportunities present in agriculture, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“The South-South is central to our nation’s development,” Johnbull noted. “Recognizing its immense contributions and untapped potential can position the region as a crucial catalyst for Nigeria’s growth.” She called on investors and policymakers to see the South-South as a gateway to fresh opportunities, promoting initiatives like the Pitching Den as a way to attract dynamic entrepreneurs and visionary investors.
“This is an opportunity for you to view the South-South as a hub of untapped potential,” she urged, advocating for partnerships that would yield benefits not only for the region but for Nigeria and beyond.
The event also included the unveiling of the Impact Report, which highlighted the achievements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, showcasing progress made in various communities across the South-South.
Johnbull encouraged the youth and women to actively participate in the development of their communities, calling them “key change-makers” in shaping the future of the region and the nation. “Your voices, innovations, and determination are essential for the progress of the South-South and Nigeria as a whole,” she stated, urging unity in amplifying the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda across the country.
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