Former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has stated that the continued concentration of power and resources in a central government would continue to suppress the advancement of the nation.

Atiku, who has been a strong advocate for the restructuring of Nigeria, said this yesterday at the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Congress held in Enugu.

Atiku, who is the Chairman of the African Veterinary Association (AVA), said “if we diversify the economy but still let the state dominate economic activities as a major investor and competitor against the private sector, we will be unable to unleash our peoples’ productive and entrepreneurial energies.


“One cannot expect a state that confiscates economic resources such as rent to genuinely and enthusiastically promote diverse economic activities.

“Can we realistically expect such a state to embark on the political difficult task of levying and collecting taxes from its citizens and allowing itself to be held accountable?”

The Turakin Adamawa urged the congress to “consider these issues and the role of democratic government in the quest for the diversification of Africa’s economies.

“Does it help or hurt for people to have a say in how they are governed including economic governance, policy development and the accountability of leaders?”


Atiku, therefore, charged AVA and NVMA, to play a critical role in improving African agriculture and the prospects of earning vital foreign exchange from exporting meat and dairy products to the rest of the world.