A former Vice-President of Nigeria, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, has urged Nigerians to support the government’s effort in diversifying the nation’s economy.
Sambo made the appeal at a Seminar with the theme, “Consolidating Interface between Industry and Agriculture for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development” at the ongoing 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna.
Sambo, who chaired the Seminar, said that economic policies of the government would soon yield a strong economy that would be less dependent on oil.
He commended the federal government for improving the Nigerian business environment.
Namadi said the theme of the seminar was apt as it highlighted the growing interest to strengthen the non-oil sector, especially the two key sectors, Industry and Agriculture.
According to him, government’s measures, which include the customs control on importation of goods and services that can be found or produced within the country is a major milestone towards building a strong economy.
The former vice president said the full implementation of the local content policy and the patronage of the made in Nigeria products must be encouraged and supported by all Nigerians.
Sambo commended the Kaduna State government for supporting the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, organisers of the Kaduna International Trade Fair.
He also said the tremendous effort of Gov. Nasiru el-Rufai of Kaduna State to ensure the 215MW thermal power plant and the 30MW Gurara Hydro Power Plant were completed and commissioned would revive the failed industrial area
in Kaduna Industrial Layout.
Sambo, who commended the president of the Chamber, Hajiya Muheeba Dankaka, said that she had been active in ensuring the success of the Chamber in its various endeavours.
On her part, the President of the Chamber said the theme of the 40th Trade Fair was chosen to spark up a debate that would complement the effort of government in revamping the economy and to drive investments in agriculture and manufacturing.
“The theme highlights the growing interest to strengthen the non-oil sector, especially these two key sectors of industry and agriculture,’’ she said.
MM/GIK/APA