By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has called on Nigerians to embrace agriculture, as it provides a lasting solution to fuel subsidy removal.
Eno made the call over the weekend at the September edition of the monthly Covenant Service at the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo. He urged Nigerians to embrace the agricultural revolution that is being championed through the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration by returning to the farm.
The Governor stated that the farm is a cure to the prevailing hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. According to him, he is not leading a communist state where citizens depend on handouts from government for survival.
Eno advised Akwa Ibom residents and Nigerians to resort to agriculture at various scales in order to increase food supply in the country, adding that his administration had taken steps to reduce the cost of governance by cutting on excesses and putting back the gains to the society so as to address the enormous intervention needs it is facing.
In his own words, “times are hard but the question is how long will we continue on palliatives? The answer is, how can we help ourselves? We have green land everywhere and we have good weather. The best answer is for us to go back to work. Let’s go back to agriculture.
“This is not a communist country where you wake up and there is milk in front of your house. Agribusiness is a serious business. Our young people have to get involved. That is what will help us.