Nasarawa State House of Assembly has urged the people of the state and other Nigerians to patronise locally-made goods, to avoid overdependence on foreign ones.
Dr Ibrahim Peter-Akwe, Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, made the call on Wednesday when officials of the state Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources appeared before the committee to defend its 2020 budget.
Peter-Akwe said such patriotism would also boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the country.
According to him, if Nigerians patronise locally-made goods, it will help in boosting the revenue base of the government and enhance food security and economic development.
He also urged the people of the state to embrace agriculture, considering its importance to societal development.
“If Nigerians embrace agriculture, it will not only reduce overdependence on oil, but it will also fight poverty, unemployment, youth restiveness and other social vices.
“No society can live comfortably without agriculture; it is the major source of livelihood of every family, nation, and its importance cannot be overemphasised to the development of any society,” the chairman said.
He urged the management of the ministry to be up and doing to ensure food security in the state.
He assured of the assembly’s readiness to give the agricultural sector the much-needed attention for development to thrive.
Prof. Allahnana Otaki, the ministry’s Commissioner, while defending the budget, said that the State Government was determined to enhance food security in the state.
He appreciated the house for its cooperation at all times, and for its commitment to duties for the overall development of the state.
