Atiku re-starts campaign for Presidency in Enugu ,harps on Diversification/Decentralization of Africa Economy..

www.odogwublog.com reports that a former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was in Enugu state today to re-enact his zeal to be President of Nigeria.

Atiku called on leaders and various economic groups in the African continent to work towards diversifying their nation's economy from it's present state of 'mono- crop economy', so as to attain meaningful development..

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He cautioned  that African countries would not go far in achieving freedom, development and advancing their societies, unless they decentralize power and resources.

Atiku made the call yesterday while speaking at the opening ceremony of the three day  joint  national conference of  African Veterinary Association/Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Congress, holding  in Enugu, with the theme, ‘Towards Economic Diversification and Sustainable Development in Africa’.

Atiku lamented, Five decades after most African countries gained political independence, their economies remain mostly mono- crop economies. That is they largely depend on the export of single primary commodities such as minerals or agricultural produce. The prices of these commodities are determined internationally by factors over which  African countries have little influence. And they often fluctuate rather widely, making the economies very vulnerable to externally induced shocks. There is little industrialization,little manufacturing and little added value'.

The former Vice President said  diversification of Africa  economy through  genuine change in policy and practice will   promote economic activities by citizens and corporations in ways that  will contribute significantly to economic growth, employment, rising incomes and government revenues through taxation and other resources, and which includes advances in productive methods and management of human and material resources.

His words,“Our potentials are enormous if we truly want to turn our fortunes around. And we must. The diversification of African economies is obviously critical and one thing around which we have consensus in African and within our various countries”.

Atiku further stressed that  decentralization of power is a vital strategic steps towards enhancing economic growth in most African countries.

 He stated, “if we diversify sources of government revenue but continue to concentrate too much power and resources in the central governments in African diverse societies, then we won’t go far in achieving freedom, development and advancing our societies.”

While appraising the theme of the joint conference,' ‘Towards Economic Diversification and Sustainable Development in Africa’, Atiku tasked  the  African Veterinary Association[AVA] and Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association[NVMA] to contribute their professional inputs in advancing the economic growths of their various nations.

He stated, “As professional bodies AVA and NVMA have critical roles to play in improving African agriculture, especially veterinary health and the quantity and quality of our animal protein intake as well as the prospects of our earning vital foreign exchange from exporting meat and dairy products to the rest of the world” Atiku said.

 Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state,who was represented by his deputy,

Hon Mrs Celia Ezeilo assured the preparedness of his administration to partner with Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association in promoting the economy of Enugu state.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards of excellence to Alhaji Abubakar, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi and Eddie Agbo, the inventor of urine based malaria test kit by the African Veterinary Association.