Africa’s richest man and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote yesterday said by 2019, Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice, sugar and other commodities.
He stated this in Abuja at a meeting with the United Nations’ Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, businessmen and some philanthropists.
The multi-billionaire entrepreneur, who spoke against the backdrop of his investment in the economy of the nation, added that Nigeria would soon become the largest exporter of petroleum products and fertiliser.
Dangote said he would not want to be remembered as the richest man alone, but would also lend his voice and other capacity to better the lots of Nigerians.
He commended the steps being taken by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in addressing the challenge of corruption facing the nation.
“War on corruption will enable government to have better outcome on any naira or dollar earned or spent”, he said.
He said the government was taking measures to diversify the economy by promoting local production of essential commodities.
These measures, he pointed out, would enhance the growth of the economy in job creation and preservation of scarce foreign exchange.
He said the business community in Nigeria would focus more on developing the non-oil sector to support the government efforts in diversifying the economy and reduce reliance on importation of goods.
“We are committed to improving the economy in a responsible and sustainable way”, he said.
Earlier, Mr. Ki-moon called on the businessmen to work towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Nigeria.
The SDG is successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The UN scribe said the solution to the challenges facing Nigeria, which was not limited to the nation, should be all inclusive, stressing that no country could solve its problems by itself.
“No country or institution can solve its challenge alone; we must harness the power of the private sector and civil society for share of solution to the complex challenges.
“We need to build all inclusive global partnership with the future of accountability and for share of responsibility; we must leverage on our comparative strength, capacities and resources to achieve meaningful result”, he said.
