The Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonanya Onu has said the country spends over N1 billion daily on the importation of rice.
He reiterated Federal Government’s focus on food security, saying Nigeria has no business importing food.
He said: “It is lamentable that, the country is spending over N1 billion daily, on importing rice, for instance.”
Onu said it is time every Nigerian takes agriculture more seriously, adding that Nigeria must feed Nigerians. There is no reason Nigerians will go to bed at night on an empty stomach,” he insisted.
Onu who spoke in Sokoto yesterday while interacting with Senate members of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto said the Ministry was now focusing more on ensuring food security in the country.
He said more needed to be done to realise the lofty dreams for a stable and prosperous nation in food self-sufficiency.
“Nigeria must also work hard in the area of the diversification of her energy sources and renewable energy is the key to unlocking her huge potentials,” he added.
He commended the university for rendering huge support to the Sokoto Energy Research Centre, which had enabled it to remain as a centre of excellence on renewable energy.
Speaking, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Prof. Eli Bala, said renewable energy was indispensable in realising the change agenda of the Federal Government.
