By CHARLES IWUOHA

Prof. Ken Ife, a foremost Professor of Economics, says that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) visionary intervention in agriculture and agro-allied value chains has helped to reduce the impact of hunger in the country.

Ife stated this at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, at the weekend during an International Business and Leadership Summit with the theme: “Productivity Development in the New Normal.”

The summit heralded the public presentation of a book “Productivity Development’’ Manual and its workbook, as a practical guide to increase everyday productivity of Nigerians across all socio-economic, socio-political and educational strata.

According to him, the CBN vision of getting Nigerians back to the land and implementing clear cut agricultural programmes have saved the nation from the impact of hunger.

Ife, an Economic Consultant to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said: “The visionary CBN intervention is feeding most Nigerians today, as well as some neighbouring countries.

“If not by the grace of God that the apex bank pursued vigorously these agricultural programmes meant to return thousands of Nigerians back to land, the story would have been so different today.

“So one asked why the agricultural produce was not enough. It is because the projection for the whole intervention is only for our real number, which is about 200 million.

“But, today, as a nation, we are feeding 300 million people. The additional number, which is 100 million people, are from our neighbouring francophone countries within the ECOWAS sub-region.

“On regular basis, you see them come to our big local boundary markets, buy and stock truck loads of food stuff heading to their countries, where the hunger situation is beating harder,” he said.

Reviewing the book, Prof. Steve Egbo, one of the Executive Directors of Nigeria Television Authority, said that Mr Nduka Awuregu, Director-General of South-East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), has provided solution to under performance in various spheres of life.

Egbo, represented by Mr Chidi Okolie, noted that the 12 chapter-book dealt extensively on time management and through it “one can work smarter rather than harder.”

“The book is a practical guide to individuals, team, time and resources management; as well as increase in profitability and resourcefulness,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Christian Anieke, noted that everyone needed a practical manual and guide such as the book – Productivity Development – to help us manage time and resources well.

Anieke said: “Therefore, to be more productive and achieve greater results, you simply need to have this book (manual) and enroll into the university’s Productivity Development Certificate Course as well.”

Speaking, the author, Awuregu, said that the book was a product of his decades of experience in the business and academic world.

He said it would definitely enable greater achievements in income and prosperity for those that would apply the knowledge in the book to practical daily work and lifestyle.

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