By Philomina Attah
Abuja – The Convener of the Abuja Agribusiness Summit 2017, Mr Tope Runsewe, has said that the summit, scheduled for April 7th and 8th, would address the nation`s problems of hunger and unemployment.
Runsewe said this at a news conference in preparation towards the forthcoming summit in Abuja on Monday.
He said that the summit would serve as a platform to discuss the potential and viability of the agriculture business by using the resources available in achieving food security in the country.
According to him, the country is faced with hunger and unemployment and that the only solution to these challenges is agriculture.
‘‘The summit has become imperative at this time now that the country is faced with some challenges.
‘‘We are convinced that agriculture business is a viable means of getting people both out of hunger and unemployment.
‘‘That is why we are convening this meeting to focus on young people, retirees, civil servants, soon to be retired or anybody who is interested in agriculture.
‘‘Agriculture is a business you can do regardless of what you do at the moment because it will help to multiply your strength of income and at the same time, eliminate some challenges.
‘‘That is why we are hosting it on the 7th and 8th of April, 2017 in Abuja in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture and so on.’’
He, however, urged all stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity to participate as wide range of agro allied activities such as livestock, animal, feeds, seed and agro- processing would be discussed.
Mr Tunde Arosanyin, National Coordinator, Zero Hunger Nigeria Commodities, said that the through agriculture, the country could create jobs to its youths to achieve food security.
‘‘Agriculture is the only business enterprise that is permitted by Nigerian law for civil servants without running contrary to the law of the country.
‘‘We want to encourage them as primary, secondary or tertiary producers in this regard.’’