A Nigerian based in Italy, Francis Onabis was born in the late sixty twos in Uromi town of Edo state to a family that trades with iron for generations.
He relocated to Italy when the Martelli law was active for which he received immediate residence permit and began work in a company that plastic company for months. Later, he resigned and travelled to Eastern Europe to look for investors interested in projects in Africa but failed.
In 1991, he returned to Nigeria and joined Hydro Drilling International and after 11 months he completed drilling courses and was promoted to the role of bridge assistant and continued with specialization courses until upon termination of employment relations with the company.
In 2011 he contested for president of Nigeria with clear lofty ideas needed in changing and improving the economy and well-being of the Nigerians.
The industrious Francis has been working on a special brand of wine, joie de vivre. It is an extra dry sparkling wine of excellent quality, exclusively produced with the typical Italian tradition in the Soave hills.
Onabis talks with Wale Abydeen in an interview where he advises the new President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC government on how to manage both Nigerian resources and the teeming population for a rapid change and development.
What in your view is the main challenge facing Nigeria’s economy?
The Nigeria’s economy is been dragged down by lack of infrastructures and proper planning. We cannot have a vibrant economy if we continue to import basically everything. From food stuffs to ordinary tooth pick. The new government should kick start the economy by providing basic amenities like energy, industrialization, good road network to help add values to the numerous raw materials in our country. We cannot just export crude oil for example when we can build refineries to refine the crude oil then export the refined products. We should stop importation of food stuffs. Encourage the people to produce their own food.
Can you compare Nigeria’s economy to some of the countries you have been to?
The difference between the Nigeria economy and other countries I have visited is that most of these countries can feed themselves which is hardly the case in Nigeria. In some cases the cost of production in Nigeria is much higher than other countries. This is the major reason most people prefer to import goods from other countries like China, turkey etc.
The government must as a matter of urgency find ways to reduce cost of production by providing energy and creating an environment for manufacture ring of goods and services.
How do you think Nigeria economy can be turned around?
The Nigeria economy can be turned around by providing basic infrastructures like power, agriculture, road etc. The government should encourage export and discourage importation of goods that can be manufactured in the country. The government must also fight insecurity in the country. Insecurity is another major problem stopping direct investment in our Country.
Is there any serious improvement in the Nigeria economy for the past 20 years?
There is no improvement in our economy for the past 60 years not just 20. A country economy cannot improve if we don’t have a clear objective. Every government has come and gone without defining exactly what they want to do and the way to achieving their object
What’s the role of private sector in developing the economy of a country like Nigeria?
The private sector should be encouraged by the government to help in moving the country forward. The federal government should only be a watch dog on the economy. History has told us that private sector driven economy is more vibrant and better in the long run.
How could the country’s youth population contribute to the economy?
The youths are the future and must be encouraged not only to seek employment but also to be employers of labour. Nigeria is blessed with high and intelligent youths the government should encourage them to be the main driver of the Nigeria economy.
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