Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to stay hopeful despite the country’s challenges, stressing that these obstacles can be overcome.
Speaking in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, during the commissioning of the Soybean Plant and Refinery by the CSS Group and the birthday celebration of Prof. John Kennedy Opara, Jonathan emphasized the need for collective efforts in nation-building.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma, Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri, former Cross River State Governor Prof. Ben Ayade, former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen, and Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule (represented by his deputy).
Jonathan addressed the growing trend of Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, commonly known as “Japa,” advising against it.
He urged citizens to contribute to the country’s development, saying, “You don’t need to Japa. The countries you are running to were built by people.
We must build this country together, invest in it, and create jobs for the youth. We must not abandon our responsibilities. This country belongs to all of us.”
Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri echoed Jonathan’s message, affirming, “There is hope in Nigeria. So, those who want to Japa, please don’t Japa. Nigeria is a blessed country. If we all invest in the private sector, no one will want to leave.”
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), spoke on Nigeria’s food security challenges, urging immediate action to address the high levels of hunger exacerbated by soaring food prices.
He emphasized the need to boost food production, reduce import dependency, and support local farmers, stating, “The level of hunger in Nigeria is too high due to very high food price inflation.”
Recalling his time as Minister of Agriculture under President Jonathan, Adesina noted, “Nigerian farmers can feed Nigeria. They did when I was Minister.
The price of rice then was N8,000 per bag; today, it’s over N100,000 per bag.” He called for policies that support farmers and agribusinesses, particularly to develop agricultural value chains.
Adesina also announced a $538 million program, in partnership with the federal government and other stakeholders, to establish special agro-industrial processing zones in eight states: Cross River, Imo, Oyo, Ogun, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, and the FCT.
He revealed that a second phase of the project, covering all remaining 28 states, is planned with a target financing of $1 billion.
Former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma expressed his optimism about Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s future, stating, “If positive things happen in Nigeria, we are happy because Africa can only get it right when Nigeria gets it right.”
