By Ifeyinwa Ashamole
LAWYER, politician and mother, Olivia Tagbajumi Agbajoh turned 65 on Wednesday.  An Honourable in the House of Representatives in the Second republic, she represented the Warri Federal constituency.

Mrs. Olivia Tagbajumi Agbajoh

A lawyer with a masters’ degree in Business Administration, she served as commissioner in Delta State in the ministries of Information and Culture, Women Affairs, Social Development,Youths and Sports, Commerce and Industries, cooperative and Tourism. She also served in other capacities such as member of the Governing Council of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Afikpo in Ebonyi State. Contested for the Senate four times, emerged winner as a candidiate under the National Republic Convention, NRC, Party in 1992. She contested the gubernatorial election in 2003 and even the presidential election under President Ibrahim Babangida’s Option A4.  Here she shares her thoughts on the Nigeria of her dream.

A NIGERIA where government has commitment towards security, social welfare, economic growth and development. Democratic good governance must be established. Elections must not only be held but people’s will must be respected. This means our votes must count. Decency in governance must be restored. There must be reduction in unemployment; there must be reduction in corruption. Our infrastructure must be fixed and expanded especially our roads. Nigeria needs to revive its Agricultural sector.

A vibrant Agricultural sector will produce enough food for export, thus earning foreign exchange and will also create jobs. Nigeria needs to encourage entrepreneurs, especially in our villages to stop migration to our cities.

Agricultural businesses

Agricultural businesses are the most lucrative business in the world. Apart from the low cost of start up and running the business, agricultural businesses turn out a huge profit of up to 100%. With the increase in unemployment, young people should embrace agriculture which was considered a dirty business reserved for only the poor. Low cost Agricultural business for villages include; Rabbit rearing,  Foodstuff retailing, Fish farming, Herbs, Flowers framing and gardening, livestock feed production, Groundnut processing, Cashew nut processing, Vegetable farming, to mention a few.

To provide adequate employment for our growing urban population, we also need a robust industrial sector. Nigeria needs to remodel its education system to mirror economic reality. More emphasis should be placed on technical skills and vocational education, particularly in construction, industrial machinery and processes, telecommunication, extractive industries and agriculture. Government should take care of old people, many of whom suffer in abject poverty and loneliness. There should be a pensioner’s social security plan. Nigeria must move forward a system that will provide free basic health care to the poor and indigent, particularly pregnant women and children.

Nigeria needs to tackle corruption. I am happy the President Mohammadu Buhari is doing this. His introduction of the Single Treasury Account system is a big move and also, the new way of budgeting.

In conclusion, Nigeria should have a creative industrial policy, infrastructural development, employment targets, a revival of agriculture, education reform, pensions for the old and modernization of essential social services including primary health care, especially for women and children.