A former provost of the Abia State College of Education Technical Arochukwu and current Director of the Agribusiness Incubation Centre (ABIC) at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Dr. Philips Nto has called on the Media to lead the crusade for Nigeria to return fully to Agriculture and Agribusiness.
Dr. Nto who made the call while speaking as special guest at the maiden Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State Council for the year 2025, described Journalists as powerful influencers and critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s development project.
He noted that there has been misplacement of priorities by relevant Stakeholders who could change the neglect of this important sector of the economy as greater attention has been devoted to other areas that were supposed to be secondary to the detriment of food production and elimination of hunger.
“When I speak of misplacement of priorities, I do not mean only the government; even the media is complicit. Attention is often focused on issues that have no direct bearing on food security, such as the most beautiful girl in Nigeria, man of the year, or the best governor of the year. Aside from the Argungu Fishing Festival, little attention is given to critical programs that encourage productivity in the agri-food sector, which has a direct impact on Nigeria’s food security, “, Nto lamented.
The Director ABIC , MOUAU, revealed that it was in an attempt to do things better that he instituted an award for the most successful male and female farmers in his community, Ututu, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State and enjoined well-to-do Nigerians to embrace this initiative to ignite competitive efforts in their localities.
He made it clear that Nigeria can only achieve conspicuous progress and curb food insecurity with a change of attitude from both the government and the people, stressing that our future lies on Agriculture and Agribusiness.
“Whether we like it or not, the time has come for everyone to become a farmer or take an interest in the agribusiness value chain. It may not be your primary occupation, but it could be a secondary option. It is also time for us to embrace simple yet mechanized methods of agriculture and agribusiness, employing technology and improved seedlings.
“During my post-graduate studies in Israel, I was amazed that a country almost entirely desert could produce so much food, making it self-sufficient in food production, excluding exports.
“Let’s look at these statistics: Israel has a population of about 9 million people, while Nigeria has about 200 million people. In terms of agricultural land, Israel has about 410000 hectares, while Nigeria has 70 million hectares. If you calculate land per capita, Israel has about 0.045 hectares per person, while Nigeria has 0.35 hectares per person,” The Agribusiness Guru noted.
Dr Nto expressed concerns that Governors were still relying heavily on monthly allocations from Abuja and paying lip service to Agriculture while insecurity has continued to threaten good production in the North unabated.
While noting that Agribusiness and Agri- food are the key to addressing insecurity, he disclosed that ABIC MOUAU has hosted different training programmes, engaged in media activities including the Farmers’ Friday on Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, adding that it has strategized on assisting the Federal Government on boosting food security this year.
The former ASCETA provost in urging the media to continue working tirelessly towards protecting institutions of democracy and upholding the trust reposed in them by the people, thanked the Chairman of the NUJ, Abia Council, Comrade Chidi Asonye, and the members for inviting him to speak.
“In your letter of invitation, you expressly urged me to “educate members of the fourth estate on investment opportunities that would improve agribusiness planning and implementation concerning the larger society.This makes the Congress timely and strategic, given the current socio-economic challenges we are experiencing as a people and a nation. You are among the first professional bodies in the state to indicate such interest and I salute your patriotism” he said.
Dr. Nto concluded by urging the NUJ to cooperatives in order to stand a chance to access government grants for genuine farmers. “We should become farmers. The NUJ can form cooperatives and benefit from the government’s grants to engage in food production.
