An expert, Prof. Sam Adewumi, on Thursday in Ibadan urged the Federal Government to eliminate all impediments to enhanced productivity to salvage the country from economic hardship.
Adewumi gave the advice during the celebration of the 21st National Productivity Day and launching of Productivity Movement in Oyo State by the National Productivity Centre (NPC) in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the lecture was “National Productivity Movement: An Imperative for Economic Recovery, Sustainable Growth and Development”.
“Doing so will guarantee employment and improved standard of living in a low income and developing country like Nigeria,” Adewumi, who is a Professor of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, said.
He pointed out that the Productivity Movement is an imperative instrument in accelerating the performance of a nation’s economy.
“It is therefore necessary to eliminate all impediments to Productivity Movement in Nigeria in order to salvage the country from economic hardship.
“Economic development, through increased productivity to eradicate poverty and ensure food security to feed the ever-increasing world population, is a major concern of many countries,” the don said.
He urged Nigerians to regularly assess themselves to see whether they are progressing or not, adding that research, innovation, education and training were vital for increased productivity.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Olurunfemi Ogundele, said it required strong commitment and dedication from higher officials to achieve productivity and development in the country.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, while launching the Productivity Movement urged Nigerians to always think of what they could offer the country and not what to benefit.
Olakulehin, who was represented by the Head of Magaji of Ibadanland, Magaji Asimiyu Ariori, said Oyo State and Nigeria in general would be better with the launching of the Productivity Movement in the state.
Earlier, the Oyo State Coordinator of NPC, Mrs Kehinde Adeyemi, had said the essence of the programme was not just to celebrate but also an avenue to inculcate the productivity culture in citizens.
She noted that the productivity culture was currently fading away in the society, and this must be stemmed in order to have an improved and enhanced economy.
“The National Productivity Centre (NPC) seeks to stimulate productivity consciousness in all sectors of the economy.
“This is to generate visible improvement in the quantity and quality of goods and services for the purpose of improving the standard of living of all Nigerians,” Adeyemi said.
NAN
