Envoy urges Nigeria to exploit Lithuania’s expertise for agric development

The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania in Nigeria, Mr Goodie Ibru, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to explore Lithuanian’s agricultural development expertise in boosting her food production. Ibru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the celebration of Lithuanian National Day in Lagos that Nigeria currently stood to benefit from Lithuania’s mechanised farming experience. “Lithuania today has a very well developed mechanised agriculture and one which Nigeria can urgently begin to look into and tap from their experience in boosting her food production. Nigeria must, therefore, also move into mechanised farming and move away from peasant farming to be able to produce enough food for internal needs and surplus for exports.

Nigeria needs to urgently go back to her mainstay which agriculture, especially now that the price of oil is tumbling. And we strongly believe that there is enough for Nigeria to benefit from Lithuania in the development of her agriculture sector,’’ he said. Ibru also said that it was imperative for Nigeria to make agriculture her mainstay after years of over-dependence on oil. The honorary consul also urged Nigerians to take advantage of the educational opportunities and learning environment in Lithuania. Ibru said that though there were currently some Nigerians studying in the country, many more should also avail themselves of Lithunia’s educational opportunities.

The envoy said the Nigeria and Lithuania Business Council (NLBC) had been registered to promote economic, social, cultural cooperation and integration between nationals of both countries. Ibru said that the council, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs would soon lead a Nigerian business delegation to Lithuania, “The aim of the visit is to explore the potential of Lithuania vis-à-vis export and import and her investment opportunities. The visit is also to provide opportunities for Nigerian businessmen seeking to invest in lucrative European Union (EU) businesses,’’ he said.