For the Ajaokuta steel company in North Central Nigeria to be revived in order to improve government revenue and engage teeming unemployed youths, Federal Government has been urged to encourage private investors in the steel sector to be given the opportunity to manage the multi billion Naira investment lying fallow for decades.
This was the submission of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari when he received the Vice-Chancellor, University of Calabar, UNICAL, Professor Florence Obi, and her team in his palace. The team was in Ilorin to understudy Steel Industry as part of industrial research from the institution.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar and her team were on a guided tour to Ilorin as part of research and development visit to an indigenous steel Industry in Kwara State.
Amazed by what they saw during the visit, Professor Florence Obi and a lawmaker from Cross River State House of Assembly, Hillary Bisong joined the Emir to call for the handing over of the steel industry like Ajaokuta steel to private hands to generate more employment opportunities thereby leading to the development of steel industry in the country.
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On his part, the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari while commending the vice-chancellor and her team said the unity of Nigeria as an entity is not negotiable, even as he called for transparent privatization of Ajaokuta Steel Company.
Doing this with sincere determination of Government, according to the Emir will reduce youth unemployment rate in the country by more than fifty percent.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
