Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerian youths not to leave the country despite the ongoing challenges, emphasizing that with determination, these difficulties can be overcome.
He made this appeal over the weekend during the commissioning of the Soybean Plant and Refinery of the CSS Group, as well as at the birthday celebration of Prof. John Kennedy Opara, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Jonathan reiterated the significance of collective effort in nation-building and cautioned against the rising trend of migration, commonly referred to as “Japa.” He called on Nigerians to collaborate in the development of the country, stating, “You don’t need to Japa. Those countries you are running to were built by people. We must build this country together and invest in it so that the youths can find jobs. We must not shy away from our responsibilities. This country belongs to all of us, and we must not abandon it.”
Similarly, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State remarked, “There is hope in Nigeria. So those who want to Japa, please don’t. Nigeria is a blessed country. If we all support what the private sector is doing, no one will need to Japa.”
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), called for urgent action to address the hunger exacerbated by high food price inflation. He stated, “The level of hunger in Nigeria is alarmingly high due to soaring food prices,” stressing the need for accelerated efforts to boost food production, lower food costs, reduce import dependency, and support local farmers.
“There is no doubt that Nigerian farmers can feed Nigeria. They did so when I was Minister of Agriculture under President Jonathan. At that time, the price of rice was ₦8,000 per bag; today, it exceeds ₦100,000 per bag,” Adesina recalled.
He urged the authorities to implement bold programs and provide policy support for farmers and agribusinesses to develop agricultural value chains. According to him, the African Development Bank, in partnership with the Federal Government and other stakeholders, is executing a $538 million initiative to establish special agro-industrial processing zones in eight states: Cross River, Imo, Oyo, Ogun, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, and the FCT.
Adesina highlighted that “The second phase of the special agro-industrial processing zones will encompass all remaining 28 states in Nigeria, with a financing target of $1 billion from the African Development Bank, the Arab Bank for African Economic Development, and the private sector.”
Former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s role in Africa’s progress, stating, “If positive developments occur in Nigeria, we are happy because Africa can only thrive when Nigeria thrives.”
The event attracted numerous dignitaries, including former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma; Bayelsa State Governor Douye 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.
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