Buhari’s commitment to economic diversification more than a mantra, says Femi Adesina

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, has said that the ongoing efforts to diversify the economy will yield positive results, unlike previous years of promises and experimentation.
Adesina stated this when he received a delegation led by the Grand Patron of National Association of Nigerian Students, Mr Eze Ebere, in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, Buhari’s commitment is more than a mantra, and the reality will soon become evident to all.
He told the delegation that the vision to diversify the economy had taken more than 40 years, with many missed opportunities, adding that the Buhari would go beyond the rhetoric to cut down dependence on a single commodity.
Adesina said the president had been concerned about the volatility of oil prices in the international market, and many years of shock to the Nigerian economy, resulting in slowed development.
“Nigeria succeeded in making itself a mono-economy over the years due to over dependence on oil, and President Buhari is determined to ensure that it will no longer remain the same.’’
The aide disclosed that the President had already launched an economic recovery plan, with a strong emphasis on diversification through agriculture and mines exploration.
Adesina said the president’s purposeful drive, single-mindedness and simplicity in approaching issues would put an end to more than 40 years of trying to break the jinx of a mono-economy.
In his remark, Ebere saluted the president’s courage in fighting corruption, and winning the war against insurgency in the North East.
The Grand Patron noted that Nigerian students had been praying for the well-being of the president, and would continue to do so.
Ebere and his delegation presented an award to Adesina for his contribution to journalism, commitment to informing Nigerians about the President’s vision and activities, and consistent expression of optimism about a new Nigeria.