- Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has explained how a decision by the late Shehu Shagari is allegedly one of the reasons for Nigerias failure in food sufficiency
- During a think tank event attended by TheTalk.NG, Obasanjo noted after he left a policy of rice production, his successor came in and cancelled it
- A veteran farmer, Obasanjo launched the Operation Feed the Nation whilst the military head of state and has been a prominent advocate for agribusiness in Nigeria and across Africa
Olusegun Obasanjo explained how Late Shehu Shagari’s government allegedly drew Nigeria back through rice importation.
Photo credit: Riccardo SaviSource: Getty ImagesWhen our successor came in, NPN-led government, President Shehu Shagari, they put pressure and they felt they needed money. Then, the government lifted the ban on importation, and we havent gotten out of it (food insecurity) till today. That was how we lost out from Operation Feed The Nation.Former President Obasanjo speaking at Fadahunsi memorial lectureSource: OriginalLook, those people who tell us you shouldnt subsidise agriculture’, they are subsidising.A former prime minister of the UK who is into rearing of sheep, he said he was getting two and a half dollars in a year to keep the sheep as subsidy. And they say we shouldnt subsidies agriculture. And yet, agriculture is seen by them as a security issue.”Anybody who feeds you can enslave you. They know that.If they (the West) import rice from Thailand, it would cost them one-third of what it will cost them to produce it. But they would rather produce rice at three times more in their own country than import rice from Thailand because it is ‘a security issue’.Food insecurity: Engineers seek solutionsRead more on Nigeria’s food security challenges
- Food security: Scientist reveals solution to achieving zero hunger in Nigeria
- Journalist recommends solutions to Nigeria’s food security problem
- Food security: Tinubus aide reveals FGs plan to combat hunger in Nigeria
Hardship: Why Nigeria remains backward – Obasanjo
READ IN FULL ON LEGIT.NG
Tinubu, NUPRC commended for fuel price cut as group pushes for local refineriesThe Conscience of the Nation has praised President Tinubu and the NUPRC for policies that reduced fuel prices, providing relief during Ramadan The group highlighted the NUPRCs reforms, including the willing-seller, willing-buyer model, as key to stabilizing the sector They also urged the government to support more local refineries like Dangote to boost economic growth ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ 2027: El-Rufais new political party known after sons cryptic Facebook postsBashir El-Rufais recent post of the SDP logo on his Facebook page has sparked speculation about his father Nasir El-Rufais potential defection from the APC The former governor has been consulting with political heavyweights like Buhari and Atiku, fueling talks of a coalition to challenge President Tinubu in 2027 Meanwhile, Nasir El-Rufai maintains he remains ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ "They're not well-informed": Senate President Akpabio blasts Nigerians amid rift…Senate President Godswill Akpabio criticized uninformed public commentary on Senate matters, urging Nigerians to understand the facts before making statements Akpabio defended the Senates decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that the suspension followed internal rules and procedures, and warned against misquoting Senate rules Niger Delta youth leaders, led by Jonathan Lokpobiri, voiced concerns ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ US visa application: Consular to reschedule interviewsThe United States (US) Department of State has confirmed that the recent difficulties faced by Nigerians applying for US visas were caused by a partial systems outage Jennifer Johnson, press officer at the office of public and congressional affairs, Bureau of Consular Affairs, disclosed this information Earlier, Nigerians had complained about interviews that had been ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Lagos State University graduate found dead in her boyfriend’s apartmentA Lagos State University graduate, Adija, was found dead in her boyfriend’s apartment in the Meiran area of Lagos, prompting concerns about domestic violence Her yet-to-be-identified boyfriend has absconded, and the police are making efforts to apprehend the suspect The couple’s toxic relationship had raised alarms among neighbours, who frequently heard their disputes Female graduate ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ 
