By- Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Nigerian economy needs to be reshaped to be out of the present difficulties, such as high inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.
As the largest Democracy in Africa and the most populous black nation on earth, there is a need for stability for it to compete with its peers across the world.
Nigeria is rich in all aspects as one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the world coupled with high deposits of other mineral resources.
Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi is a renowned Islamic scholar, retired military officer, and Public affairs analyst in Nigeria.
In this Interview with Africa Press, the Scholar spoke on how the present economic situation in Nigeria can be contained by the government.
The former military officer also advised the Nigerian government to learn from Iran as it has improved its technological and Industrial sectors despite sanctions from the world superpowers. Iran produces vehicles it uses domestically unlike Nigeria which does not patronize its local car manufacturers.
Africa Press -At this moment majority of Nigerians can no longer eat three times looking at the high cost of food stuff and other basic needs, what is your opinion on the current situation?
Dr .Gumi – OK what I can say is that the current predicament we are facing is an artificial problem as a result of bad economic policy. You see if you try to apply the theoretical economy without looking at the pragmatic issues on the ground, this is the mistake we commit.
This economic disaster started in the last administration in which we have been taking loans and spending it on luxury, I say luxury because issues of building dual carriageways and metros don’t have economic viability like putting money on farming and feeder roads through which industries can get raw materials from farms.
If you look at the railways when the British left us, It has the shape of a hatch coming from Gusau, Kano, it is all geared towards ports so that they export our cutting, groundnut, and everything that is why the British constructed the railway for their benefit, for exportation, so you see you can build roads for economic benefit but in our case, we build them for luxury that is why we spent so much money, we brought money for something that can not sustain itself that is why we are in this crisis.
Africa Press -What is your take on a recent statement made by Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shatima saying that some businessmen are taking Nigeria’s food out of the country in particular to neighbouring countries as they have impounded many trucks with food items in the Ilela border in Sokoto State?
Gumi- The problem of Nigeria is not lack of food, food is sufficient for us and our neighbours, the point is that we lack money, and exporting food is even doing good for us because when we start exporting our GDP (Growth Domestic Product) will increase
I don’t think we are doing anything wrong, as it will bring money in hard currency.
Africa Press -Sir what is your view on the current foreign exchange rate of dollar and Naira devaluation?
Dr. Gumi – we don’t spend dollars here, we spend naira but what we are saying is that the dollar should be available for those that will use it and make the country productive not for buying luxury materials, we just see how legislative and executive are buying luxury imported cars while Nigerians are manufacturing cars, that is why our foreign earning which is dollars is spent for luxury, not for productivity.
Also look at the military hardware we are supposed to be producing on our own, as the countries that are developing like Brazil are producing their weapons and we are still importing, this is where the dollar goes.
I think we should sit down as a nation to see how we can develop the nation in the right direction.
Africa Press -Shiekh economists are attributing this hardship faced in Nigeria to fuel subsidy removal, what is your take on that?
No nation on earth does not provide subsidies on basic things of life, they subsidize food, they subsidize fuel even America which practices a capitalist economy subsidizes energy and food. How can a third-world country with sixty percent of its population be poor under the poverty line, how can a country like this remove subsidies? This is the cause of the problem.
What is your view about how state governors are handling the present economic situation in their respective States?
Well, I don’t see anything tangible that I will say is an economic activity, I have seen Niger State government buying tractors, which is a good start but usually our problem is about implementation, the trucks may end up with government cronies, officials, and friends, not the real farmers, that are our fear.
Africa Press- Sir. you are a former military officer and you also speak on security issues as a concerned Nigerian, how do you look at the present security challenges, does it improve or how do you view it?
Gumi – As it tries to improve the economic situation is pushing it back, when people don’t have what to eat they tend to be criminals.
Africa Press – Finally Sir, You recently visited the Islamic Republic of Iran, so what do you think Nigeria can learn from Iran interns in creating jobs and establishing Industries?
Gumi- Yes Nigeria can learn a lot from Iran because; number one they are under sanctions by the Western governments and yet, they can feed themselves, they can provide their basic needs, they are even manufacturing Cars, they refine their petroleum, people are going there to buy engine oil and tires so this is an example that where we can learn a lot on how to be self-reliant and self-dependent.
Africa Press- Sir, how do you think ordinary Nigerians can make change themselves?
Gumi – Nigerians need their leadership, as there is no nation can get headway without having good leadership, the leader is the one who serves as the pathfinder of a nation, otherwise there will be anarchy, so we need conscientious leaders, leaders that are honest and truthful not necessarily leaders that want to be called leaders.
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