TELL Magazine

Amosun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has advocated a return to agro-forestry as an effective means of lifting Nigeria out of its current economic problems.

He said, “The way to go if we really want to come out of the current economic crisis is through agro-forestry. It will save our environment and provide jobs for our people.”

The governor said this today, while addressing a session of environmental experts at the ongoing 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties, COP 21 in Paris, France.

According to Amosun, “If we are going to get it right as a nation, we need to diversify our economy. We are blessed with natural and human resources and the best way to diversify is via agriculture that will lead us into industrialisation.”

He also expressed joy with the global focus on sustainable and eco-friendly development, which the COP 21 represents.

“It is so important to us in Ogun State because we have the largest base of industries in Nigeria and therefore we need to look into energy sources that are environmentally friendly for the industries,” Governor Amosun said.

And to assure his audience that his state has keyed into the environment-friendly programme, he said the era of uncurbed carbon emissions by companies was over in Ogun state.

The governor also called on global investors who are not yet in the State to make the Gateway state their destination of choice.

COP21, otherwise known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, is aimed at achieving a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.

It has been described as one of the largest international conferences ever held in France. The conference, which ends this Friday, is expected to attract close to 50,000.