Participants at the first Benue State Stakeholders Forum have advised the State Government to pursue agro-based economy in order to create wealth for the people.
This appeared to be the unanimous position adopted by the stakeholders who gathered at Government House in Makurdi on Saturday to interact with Governor Samuel Ortom on his performance in his first 100 days in office.
The Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr Robert Orya and Mr. Ambrose Feese an investment banker, who led the call among other speakers, said that Benue State must turn to agriculture, in which it holds comparative advantage over other states, to avoid a total system collapse due to falling crude oil prices.
They further advised Governor Ortom to create an enabling environment for agriculture to thrive.
Lending his voice to the call, A former governor of the state Senator George Akume challenged well-placed Benue indigenes to rise up to the occasion and create wealth for the people through agriculture.
Expectedly, Governor Ortom listed the agricultural revolution as part of his administration’s resolve to address unemployment and wealth creation.
He also spoke about the success of his amnesty programme, peace and security, as well as his probe of the administration of his predecessor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam.
To underscore his preparedness for the task ahead, the Governor also launched a three years development plan.
Agriculture was the mainstay and major income earner for Nigeria until the discovery of crude oil in the country and the subsequent wind fall from the international price boom.
However, since the instability in the crude oil market began in 2012 most oil-producing countries, including Nigeria have been finding it difficult to manage their financial obligations.
