President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to lead Nigeria into abundant food production, with youths at the forefront.
He said: “I am confident that Nigeria, under my watch, we will achieve food security in producing most of what we eat. In good harvest years, we may even export our surpluses and earn foreign exchange.”
President Buhari, who spoke today, November 10, at the launch of National Young Farmers Scheme, designed by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to spur more youth interest in farming, remarked: “by virtue of my passion and desire for agriculture and also as a farmer myself, I am directly supervising NALDA as an authority under the Presidency.
“I am asking the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and State Governments to give full cooperation to NALDA in its activities.”
The President directed agencies involved in agriculture to further streamline their priorities in the inclusion of youth in driving modern methods of farming while assuring all those interested that an enabling environment will be created for full participation.
According to him, agriculture remains the backbone of the Nigerian economy, being the largest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“We will do more to expand, modernize and revolutionize our agriculture, which is our most important asset.
“I have directed that all NALDA’s abandoned farm estates be retrieved to enable thousands of our young men and women to be engaged in farming.
He stressed that the resuscitation of NALDA will make Nigeria food sufficient and in a few years begins to earn more revenue from export of agricultural commodities.
He said that with the success of Anchor Borrowers programme spearheaded by the Central Bank of Nigeria and new programmes to revive cotton, palm products and cocoa, the next few years will see a vast difference in our agricultural performance.’’
The President said that all the necessary approvals that NALDA requires for effective take-off, beginning with areas of adequate land preparation for crop farming and livestock rearing, had been given, charging the Executive Secretary/CEO of NALDA and his team to continue to live up to expectations and increase their activities in local communities.
“I am told that, so far, 4,333 families have benefited from this scheme and it is expected that many more individuals and families will benefit as the programme is rolled out.
“I now flag off the National Young Farmers’ Scheme. It is my expectation that the Scheme will take in young Nigerians, graduates and non-graduates alike, and be part of this Government’s effort to reduce unemployment and contribute to the regeneration of agriculture and our economy.”
The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, commended the President for his steadfastness in repositioning the agricultural sector since coming to office, opining that the country had already felt the impact of the policies of the administration.
The Senate President said that there is a need to encourage agricultural agencies, like NALDA, to work closely with the research institutions in Nigerian universities.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, said that the discovery of oil in the country hampered the growth of agriculture and increased poverty in rural communities, assuring the President that the concerted effort to revive interest in farming will tackle poverty and create wealth.
Ikonne said that the resuscitation of NALDA after close to 20 years of abandonment will go a long way in reducing unemployment in the country, especially among the youth.
“Our focus is to engage 1,000 farmers from each of the 774 Local Government Areas, thereby creating 774,000, direct employment annually.”
Goodwill messages were given by a representative of the Young Farmers, Fatima Usman Musa and Denmark Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Jesper Kamp.
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, also participated in the event.
President Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged the great role the late Jerry Rawlings played in stabilizing democracy in Ghana where he held sway as President for about a decade.
DeClub 10 Nigeria, an elite group from Kogi Central Senatorial District has asked the Kogi State Government to urgently address the resurgence of kidnapping in the area.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa and the National Chairman of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), has died today.
Balarabe Musa: Exit Of The Last Man Standing, By Adams Oshiomhole
It came like a rude shock. Only recently we had a robust telephone conversation which was more like a reminiscence of the good old days, when politics was played along ideological persuasions.
He was loud and firm, as usual, espousing his thoughts about building a united Nigeria where tribes and tongues no longer matter in deciding our nationality. It didn’t strike me that I was having my last conversation with this great pan-Nigerian consummate politician, a thoroughbred progressive, who deployed honesty in all his political engagements.
He was not just a politician’s politician, he was one who brought ideology to flourish in his political engagements and nurtured that ideal under the People’s Redemption Party, till death snatched him away. I could still remember vividly how he appointed me into a board during his time as Governor, even though I wasn’t from Kaduna state. He never hesitated to cultivate the support of anyone who could add value to his policy focus of making governance reach the ordinary folks in the state. With a Secretary to Government in Late Dr. Bala Usman, one could imagine how robust the engagements would be. He was more concerned about delivering services than what the office could afford him. He was never materialistic. He was not carried away by the allure of power and the paraphernalia of office. He was simple, ideologically grounded, and dialectically opposed to politics of acquisition.
We have lost the last man standing, the last of the mohicans, the last man who represented the ideological underpinning of politics. Alhaji Balarabe Musa will be sorely missed. He was a father figure to me as we often exchanged telephone conversations like father and son. He never shied away from speaking his mind on any issue no matter the risk involved.
He was blunt and his vitriolic “missiles” were often directed at the right quarters. He was bold and fearless. Any time he had opportunity to interact, you would find him espousing those ideals that defined his politics and humanity. Even though a former Governor, he lived like an ordinary Nigerian. He refused to bend the ultra Left of PRP ideology to accommodate the right NPN and paid the prize by impeachment rather than keep the Governorship office and compromise his well cherished PRP ideology. He lived and died for the masses.
His life will remain a good example for Nigerian politicians and those who occupy public office. He will remain a reference point in political discourse especially on the subject matter of ideological politics. May his soul rest in peace. May Allah forgive him his sins and accept his soul amongst the saints in the hereafter. Adieu, Alhaji, Balarabe Musa, the people’s authentic Governor and leader.
Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is former Governor, Edo state and former President, Nigeria Labour Congress.