A university Don and Dean of Social Sciences at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Prof. Christopher Nyong Ekon has advocated for the institution of a marshall plan to encourage fóod production in the Southern States of the country.
Prof. Ekon who was the Guest Speaker at the investiture ceremony of the 4th Chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigéria (CIoDN), South-South, South-East zone in Port Harcourt, lamented the high cost of food items occasioned by the dibilitating economic crises in the country and called on the Government to device the plan to encourage massive investments in agricultural activities in the southern states of Nigeria where according to him, the menace of attacks on farmers has not escalated as being witnessed in Northern States.
Speaking on the topic; “Navigating Economic Violatility; Strategies For Resilience Growth in a Depressed Economy”, Prof Ekong listed issues of low Gross Domestic Product (GDP), galloping inflation and high unemployment in the country as major indicators of a volatile economy, regretting that the nation’s policy authorities have tackled the symptoms rather than the root cause of the nation’s economic problems.
Prof Ekong, a former Commissioner for Economic Development and Chief Economic Adviser to Akwa Ibom State Government recommended the massive acquisition of land for investment in agricultural activities, the reversal of fuel subsidy removal and more investments and restart of the nation’s refineries adding that dialogue should be initiated with the Ogoni people to restart the drilling of oil in the area.
The University Lecturer who noted the continued depreciation of the nation’s currency against the US Dollar, called on the Government to invest in local production of goods to stem the heavy dependence on importation as well as institute the probe of the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen it’s monetary policy process.
President and Chairman of the governing Council of CIoDN, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo had in his opening address called on the new chairman and the Executive members of the branch to strive to preserve the foundational values of the institute and to sensitize and mobilize members of the branch to participate in the forthcoming national Council elections.
Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director of Comag Steel and Construction Company, Chief Cosmas Agu and the Royal Father of the day and Igwe of Okara Orba Ancient kingdom, HRH, George Eze Nwankwo in their separate speeches extolled the sterling qualities of the new Chairman of the branch, Engr. Innocent Akuvue and expressed the confidence that the branch will witness greater leaps under his leadership.
In his acceptance speech after being sworn in by the President and Chairman of Council, the new Chairman, Engr. Innocent Akuvue pledged to expand the visibility of CIoDN in the branch adding that the branch will partner and engage with the Governments and private sectors in the region.
According to Dr. Akuvue the branch will put machineries in place to deliberately increase it’s membership strength and create valuable programes that will positively impact on members of the branch. He therefore called for sustained support of members to achieve the set objectives of the branch.
The event which was attended by Government officials,captains of industries and general public featured panel discussions, the swearing in of other Exco members of the CIoDN by the branch Chairman and presentation of awards to guests and members of CIoDN.
