Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged his continuing support for Niger State Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago in his quest to feed the nation....CONTINUE READING
President Tinubu made the promise when he inaugurated mechanised agricultural equipment, the irrigation system for the unique Agro Processing Free Zone, and the redesigned and renovated International Airport in Minna, which he renamed after himself.
The President, who praised Governor Umaru Bago’s devotion and leadership style, stated that he must assist him.
According to him, “I can guarantee you Federal backing. I will work with you to end hunger. You are doing your job and working the talks.
He encouraged him to maintain his aggressive and unwavering drive to be the first to feed the nation.
In his remarks, Niger State Governor Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago stated that the state is ideally positioned to produce 50 million metric tonnes of various food crops each year, making it Nigeria’s largest sub-national food exporter.
To achieve this goal, the Farmer Governor stated that the State Government is committed to attracting investments, private sector equity, and loans totaling 500 billion Naira each year for the next seven years.
The Farmer Governor also stated that a canal to harness water from the Shiroro Dam is being built to irrigate 90,000 hectares, which will include 236 kilometres of irrigation canals and other associated engineering infrastructure to increase the State’s agricultural production capacity.
The state will contribute significantly to the federal government’s strategic reserve by cultivating all arable lands. This will also reduce insecurity by eliminating a safe haven for kidnappers and bandits.
“This partnership will not only bolster our state’s economy but also strengthen the nation’s drive towards sustainable food security and resilience against external shocks” .
While outlining his administration’s achievements and intentions in agriculture and infrastructure development, the Farmer Governor stated that his administration has invested in agricultural machinery and technology, purchasing tractors, harvesters, solar irrigation water pumps, Pivot Irrigation Systems, metric tonnes of NPK/UREA Fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides, as well as beginning land preparation and cultivation across the state.
The speaker urged the Federal Government to promote the development of Baro Port, Kainji National Park, and Dry Inland Port Terminals at Bida, Mokwa, Babanna, and Suleja, citing the potential for increased growth and prosperity.
On the remodelled and upgraded Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Farmer Governor stated that the Airport has previously been in a state of comatose due to a failed runway, a dilapidated terminal, a lack of fire and safety equipment, and a runway lighting system, among other things, and that the domestic terminal, which had been under construction for over a decade, had been abandoned.
He praised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for giving quality direction for the intervention and rehabilitation of the airport to meet global standards.
The Farmer Governor thanked the President for designating this airport as a unique Agro-processing Free Zone for greenhouses, dairy and meat processing, and storage, aggregation, and other value chain development components.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, stated that Farmer Governor Umaru Bago has embraced the President’s exemplary champion attitude for sustained agricultural growth.
The Minister recounted the Federal government’s efforts to achieve food security in the country, noting that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is seeking partnerships with state governments, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as relevant institutions, to achieve the desired goal.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Governor of Kwara State AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, his Lagos and Benue State counterparts Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia respectively, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, commended Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for the feat attained in Agriculture, adding that with such level of commitment, and others borrowing a leave from it, the Federal government’s food security agenda would
The Estu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, thanked the President and other guests for visiting and supporting the state government’s commendable achievements.
The event was attended by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Governors of Niger State, serving and former lawmakers at the federal and state levels, members of the State Executive Council, APC leaders at the national and state levels, religious and traditional leaders, and other top government functionaries…CONTINUE READING>>
