The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday said Nigeria cannot continue to export its natural forest resources abroad only for it to be imported into the country as toothpicks.
He said the country cannot be a consumer nation that depends on other nations even for her basic needs.
He said it was baffling to note that a greatly endowed nation like Nigeria would export crude oil and import refined oil, export wood and import toothpicks.
The disclosure was contained a statement signed by his Chief Press Officer, Mr. Taye Akinyemi, when Onu, met Directors General (DGs) of agencies and parastatals under the ministry in his office in Abuja.