China is in a rush to automate their manufacturing industry with an aim: "...to bolster its tech sector in order to reduce its reliance on foreign companies."

I feel the Nigerian Government's bid to revamp her Agricultural sector is one 'stone' that could help kill two birds, and even more if brilliantly handled. The Americans were able to leverage technologies borne out of desperate military demands, for the development of other sectors of economic importance. We can leverage Agriculture for this same purpose.

In as much as I am very hopeful for Nigeria's success in slaying the 'primary bird' - food insecurity, and I look out for some good news daily, coming from states of the Federation in this regards, I must point out that I am equally as concerned with the one I feel should be the all important 'secondary bird' - our dead manufacturing industry, one which is even dead to an average key stakeholder, the Nigerian engineers.

Every right thinking Government of a nation today, after concerning herself with how to best curb insecurity issues, is saddling herself with how to best attain a considerable level of self-sufficiency and economic relevance. They are all looking for opportunities to grow, develop, and gain more independence which brings about more respect and admiration globally. That's what China is doing. Where there is no natural cause for development, they just think about 'near-total independence' and that gives them what next to work on.

It should be in Nigeria's plans to start owning what we have always been dependent on the developed world for and I believe that our strides towards Agricultural Renaissance can be a perfect stepping stone for our manufacturing industry. For our Government to attain her objectives, the Agricultural sector demands an extremely high level of MECHANIZATION. If we as a country decide to be independent of these mechanical assistance, it could also spark a resuscitation of our manufacturing industry, which in due course will begin to cater for the needs of other key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

I have always had a question on my mind to which I have not gotten a justifiable response just yet. Our country is naturally endowed with raw materials for the manufacturing industry to thrive. Since we can't perform these magic the more developed guys perform, why not create an enabling environment upon which they can come and set up sustainable structures in our country and produce all these things, rather than keep depending on imports? This will help cut down on government expenditure in the long run, help in the intellectual development of our engineers and technologists, and will further engender the birth of similar indigenous companies with the capacity to thrive.
Better still, if that's not a good enough track to follow, probably due to certain unfavourable economic deductions from such action of which I am not aware of, then what happens with giving equal opportunities to talented Nigerian citizens to go out there and obtain these knowledge, with which they can come back home and make ample use of to the good of the country. Yes, attempts have been made in this regards, but in a country with well over 130Million youths, we need way more opportunities, with less prejudice in the selection processes. It is also important to note that an enabling environment is also of great importance for effective application of knowledge gained.

This wasn't supposed to be an essay, but just a means of giving an opinion. My dear politicians, lawmakers, professors, economists, preachers, students, graduates, talk is cheap please, so enough of it already. Enough castigating of present and previous administrations; enough arguments on who performed better and who is making things worse; enough of all the corruption and anti-corruption deliberations; all these exist in developed nations but they are not allowed to be blown out of proportion, neither are they allowed over shadow the responsibilities of the leadership and the citizenry over there. Whatever is not healthy for one should be let go. I believe we all mean well for the future of this great nation, hence like other well meaning nations of the world, lets begin to take 'maximum advantage' of every opportunity that comes at us for the development of Nigeria.

Its high time we take full responsibility as The BIG BROTHER in AFRICA. Like the Chinese, let's strive for self-sufficiency and economic sustainability with a burning passion that cannot be quenched by one, or a few men's incapacities. Let our collective strength compliment the few weaknesses we have amidst us, and the eagle and horses on our coat of arms will gain relevance once again. I see the issue of food insecurity in Nigeria as an avenue to help make a lot of things work. There has been talks concerning patronizing 'Made in Nigeria' products, which is a good start if taken serious, but ensure Nigeria's Agricultural Renaissance is driven by equipment and machinery made in, or assembled in Nigeria at least, and you will be awakening another key driving force of the Nigerian economy.

#NigeriaWillWork
#OneNigeriaForever

I am Felix, Bernard K.,
A Nigerian Engineering graduate who really wants to be useful.

You can find the article on China's automation strides on the link below.

You can find the article on China's automation strides on the link below.

http:///vxash#https://qz.com/922742/china-is-rapidly-making-robots-that-will-one-day-manufacture-everything-you-buy/