Should Nigeria Be Importing Toothpicks?

A delegate from Akwa Ibom, Prof. Nsongurua J. Udombana, was the cynosure of all eyes on Thursday - the final day of the delegates’ debate of the president’s speech.

As he nears the end of his speech, he held up a sachet of toothpick imported from China. He laments that despite the abundance of Bamboo trees in Nigeria, the country still imports toothpicks. He calls on delegate to halt the trend.

Here is the transcript:

What I am holding here is a toothpick. And from all the label here, it was imported from China into Nigeria. Nigeria today is importing toothpicks even though we have bamboo all over the country.

Our industries have collapsed. Dunlop and other tyre industry have collapsed. Textiles industry has closed shop.

Today, Nigeria is importing toothpick and we are complaining why there is insurgency in Nigeria. Where are the factories and companies our children will work when they graduate?

When I was growing up about four decades ago, we used to shout UP NEPA, UP NEPA whenever there is light because we were not expecting power always.

Today after forty years, even though NEPA has switched identity, my children are still shouting UP NEPA, UP NEPA.

And if we don’t restructure Nigeria and revamp Nigeria, I’m afraid that my grandchildren will still be shouting UP NEPA, UP NEPA.

How are the mighty fallen?

Please, let’s have this as a reminder as we negotiate our way forward that Nigeria today is importing toothpick!