The Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers say they are determined to contribute their quota in efforts to break the bounds of mono-economy and shift focus to a broadly creative, self-generating and diversified economy in the state.
The monarchs are optimistic that the step taken by the Council would enable them meet the varied needs of their various communities and that of the entire state population.
It was a decision made at their fifth annual seminar held at their Secretariat Complex within the Government House in Awka, the Anambra State capital in southeast Nigeria.
The theme of the discourse was “Diversification of the Nigerian Economy; a Sine Qua Non for Sustainable Socio-Economic Stability and Growth”.
Mechanised And Commercial Agriculture
Addressing the assembly, Governor Willie Obiano, represented by his deputy, Nkem Okeke, proposed industrialisation and agriculture, as the solution to the challenges of depreciating currency, dwindling national Gross Domestic Product and the sharp rise in the suffering of Nigerians.
Mr Okeke, who commended the organisers for their choice of the theme, highlighted the efforts of the government in agriculture.
He reiterated the commitment of the government to pursuing mechanised and commercial agriculture, saying that huge investment has been made in establishing industrial farms in over five communities in the state.
In their various remarks, the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; as well as the Chairman of the Council and Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, urged the people of the state to develop interest in agriculture and investment.
The Obi of Onitsha further called for conscious effort to be made by all traditional rulers of the 179 communities, to ensure that their subjects key into the vision of the state government in the area of agriculture and industrialisation.