BY EMMAN  OVUAKPORIE

DEP Chukwuemeke Nwogbo is the Vice Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Justice. He represents  Awka Federal Constituency in Anambra State. In this chat, He spoke on some burning issues bordering on the recent clamour for the review of the derivation formula by the northern leaders and his motivation in the political arena.  Excerpts:

What is your take on the recent outburst by some Northern leaders over the issue of derivation in Nigeria that it should be reviewed?

The Northern Governors should look inward because they are blessed with all sort of  resources particularly metals ranging from gold to diamond then columbite and an expanse of land that could be deployed into farming. The list of resources in the North are endless. All the Governors in the north need do is to remain focused and look inward to make a difference in Nigeria.

Not only the northern Governors but the whole of Nigeria; we should have no reason to complain in this part of the world. The north could go into production of grains in large quantity that could even be deployed into the export market. Animal husbandry is another viable zone the north could explore.

Nwogbo

In the 1970s, only Audu Bako farms was supplying the whole of Kaduna state milk and it was for  every day. Such farms are no longer in existence. What about the peanut pyramids? Where are they now? The north has no reason to complain of poverty because right under their nose, there is plenty to explore.

In short they should be more imaginative in their approach to economic issues. The South South has a right to certain derivation as the north could get derivation if they become more imaginative and innovative.

When a key player in the private sector decides to join politics, one becomes curious and would want to ask what your motivation was?

Well, believe me I have been a bedroom critic of everything that the government does; everything that is out there and I have done this for quite a while until a friend of mine told me something that got stuck in me.

He told me that the country, America was not built on complaints. It was not built by people who complained about the ills of the society. It was built by people who got up and had the consciousness and presence of mind of instituting changes. Those who complain are actually part of the populace who sit down and do nothing in the face of the challenges of their society.