L
LequteMan
Guest
It is downright ridiculous for Nigeria to import rice, considering the huge potential it has for agriculture, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Emeritus Prof. Shinichi Kitaoka, has stated.
This potential, when utilised, will triple Nigeria's export of rice to other countries, Kitaoka said at a media parley in Abuja, ThisDay reports.
“When I was an Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations between 2004 -2006, I was involved in the Security Council’s Reforms Movement. Japan was together with Germany, Indian and Brazil. We created G-4 and we tried to make reforms. Our counterpart was particularly, then; President Obasanjo. We were closely following his demands and style of leadership. That was actually the first time I came to have contact indirectly with Nigeria," he said.
“I see that Nigeria is a rich country and I was first impressed by the green, the land is very green and I saw a huge potential of more and more Agricultural production.”
“You see, my understanding is that, Nigeria is key to all Africa, and if Nigeria becomes unstable, it is difficult to expect Africa as a whole to be stable and to develop. This is our basic understanding of Nigeria and Africa," he added.
This potential, when utilised, will triple Nigeria's export of rice to other countries, Kitaoka said at a media parley in Abuja, ThisDay reports.
“When I was an Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations between 2004 -2006, I was involved in the Security Council’s Reforms Movement. Japan was together with Germany, Indian and Brazil. We created G-4 and we tried to make reforms. Our counterpart was particularly, then; President Obasanjo. We were closely following his demands and style of leadership. That was actually the first time I came to have contact indirectly with Nigeria," he said.
“I see that Nigeria is a rich country and I was first impressed by the green, the land is very green and I saw a huge potential of more and more Agricultural production.”
“You see, my understanding is that, Nigeria is key to all Africa, and if Nigeria becomes unstable, it is difficult to expect Africa as a whole to be stable and to develop. This is our basic understanding of Nigeria and Africa," he added.
