Ifie Sekibo, Heritage Bank boss
Top Story

Agriculture is key to a prosperous Nigeria, says Sekibo

295

Agriculture captures the Nigerian story like no other economic activity — both the ties and traditions of the past, and the promise of a bright future.  Its value goes beyond providing basic human need for food. It grows our economies and, more importantly, it changes society.

In view of the vital role in the economy, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, has called on financial institutions and the three tiers of government to support agriculture and small and medium scale businesses to fast track the nation’s quest to move from poverty to prosperity.

“One of the areas where government and financial institutions can move this nation from poverty to prosperity is through the development of agriculture, said Sekibo at the sidelines of the just concluded 24th Nigerian Economic Summit which was co-sponsored by Heritage Bank and tagged “Poverty to Prosperity: Making Governance and Institutions work”, Sekibo said more needs to be done by the government and financial institutions in the areas of entrepreneurship because it is an agent of development.

He however said, “Moving Nigeria out of poverty to Prosperity cannot be done alone by the government and financial institutions, all other sectors must contribute their quota to ensure Nigeria is rid of poverty”.

“We in Heritage Bank have been supporting various small scale businesses especially through our reality show, “The Next Titan”, which is driven by our faith to give young entrepreneurs the opportunity to contribute to the economic growth of the country”.

“One of our major cardinal point as a bank is supporting micro, small and medium scale businesses and our strong desire to see young men and women succeed in any area of their business. This will help the society and economy to grow, thereby moving the nation from poverty to prosperity,  he added.

Sekibo also said evidence has shown that countries of the world that supports Micro, Small and Medium enterprises, (MSME’s) are successful in reducing poverty.

“One of the cardinal points to economic growth of the nation is through mechanized farming. Government and financial institutions must do everything they can to support the growth of the sector. We cannot talk about moving from poverty to prosperity without taking Agriculture every seriously in this country. We must support the agriculture sector reform through providing infrastructure, providing loans to farmers and ensuring interest rate loans is a single digit” Sekibo said.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Five months after cabinet reshuffle: Tinubu orders ministers to render account of stewardship

President Bola Tinubu has directed his ministers to provide an immediate account...

Just in: CBN Introduces New ATM Transaction Fees Effective March 1

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a review of transaction...

UCH power outage: Minister brokers deal with IBEDC, to restore electricity in 48 hours

Following the Minister of Power, Dr. Adebayo Adelabu’s intervention, the Ibadan Electricity...

VP Shettima Reaffirms Tinubu’s Commitment to Bridging Financial Gaps, Achieving $1trn Economy

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to economic...

Just in: Supreme Court reserves judgments in 4 Rivers political dispute cases

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgments in four separate cases related...

Edo gov. poll tribunal: Gov. Okpebholo closes defence, calls lone witness

Edo Gov. Monday Okpebholo on Monday in Abuja opened and closed his...

NAFDAC cracks down on counterfeit medicines, seizes fake drugs in Anambra market

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched...

Just in: Alleged terrorism: Justice Nyako adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s trial indefinitely

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the...

N495m debt: Months-long power cut brings UCH Ibadan to grinding halt

The premier world-class University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, is on...

Another Niger State Tanker Explosion: Latest Tragedy Fuels Push for Enhanced Safety Protocols

A catastrophic gas explosion rocked Sabon Wuse in Tafa Local Government Area...

Nigeria introduces hassle-free, contactless passport renewal system for European-based citizens

After its successful implementation in Canada, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi...

6-3-3-4 not scrapped, only proposing migration to 12-year compulsory education, Minister clarifies

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, has clarified media reports that the federal...

FG announces reforms, plans to replaces JSS, SSS with 12-year basic education model

After 42 years of its introduction into the education system, the Federal...

Pres. Tinubu announces shake up headships, councils of federal universities

President Bola Tinubu has announced changes in the leadership positions of some...

N4.52trn Budget increase: Tinubu Unveils Allocation Details

President Bola Tinubu has revealed the allocation details of the N4.52 trillion...

Breaking: Bandits abduct ex-NYSC DG, retired Brig.-Gen Tsiga, others in Katsina

Bandits have reportedly kidnapped the former Director General of the National Youth...

Tinubu Mourns Loss of 17 Young Lives in Zamfara Islamic School Fire Tragedy

President Bola Tinubu has extended his deepest condolences to the families and...

Tinubu Approves 65 Years Retirement Age for Doctors, Healthcare Workers

President Bola Tinubu has approved a new retirement age for doctors and...

Just in: Tinubu asks NASS to increase 2025 budget from N49trn to N54trn

President Bola Tinubu has requested the National Assembly to raise the proposed...

Tinubu Signs Bill Establishing North-Central Development Commission

President Bola Tinubu has signed a bill establishing the NorthCentral Development Commission...