Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has tied the surge in banditry and kidnapping to the nation's unemployment crisis.
Speaking at the 9th International Trade Exhibition & Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing, and Packaging in Lagos, Obasanjo emphasized that addressing unemployment could mitigate these criminal activities.
He stressed the importance of agribusiness for various socio-economic benefits, quoting a friend who dubbed him 'a madman for agriculture' due to his fervent dedication to the sector.
Obasanjo advocated for policy consistency and access to single-digit loans for farmers to ensure agricultural prosperity. Additionally, he urged the youths to embrace agriculture, suggesting that making the sector more attractive could reduce emigration and unemployment rates.
The exhibition, with over 140 global exhibitors, aimed to showcase products and solutions tailored for the Nigerian market, reflecting Nigeria's growing investments in food and packaging technology.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the challenge of post-harvest losses and emphasized the importance of cold chain infrastructure in preserving agricultural produce.
The Netherlands ambassador, Wouter Plomp, affirmed his country's commitment to collaborating with Nigeria to enhance food security and bolster the agricultural sector.
