Penury amidst plenty

Nigeria is naturally blessed with numerous mineral resources that outclass what is found in many other countries. Sadly, however, our leaders are not harnessing these natural resources to make life easy and comfortable for us. The fact is that if the purpose of something is unknown, abuse is inevitable.

Our natural resources lie fallow on a daily basis, without being used for the development of the country. Many of our scientists are discovering resources that can easily boost the economy of the country, making the government less dependent on crude oil, but the people in authority habitually neglect them. How can progress be made when you ignore research findings?

If the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology can draw government’s attention to the alternate sources of revenue, it will definitely boost the economy, with jobless youth becoming gainfully employed.

Apparently, Nigeria is naturally blessed in the area of agriculture. In recent times, 500,000 hectares have been mapped out by the Bola Tinubu administration for agricultural use and that is a welcome idea. It can help to eradicate hunger in the country. This initiative is much better than the sum of N8,000 initially proposed by the Federal Government as palliative measures following the removal of subsidy from premium motor spirit. The jettisoned palliative could not have alleviated poverty in the country; it would only have aggravated it.

It has become imperative those in authority paid attention to the  minerals resources that are wasting away across the country.

• Rev. M.O Oladimeji, Ibadan

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