NASEER  AL-SIRAJDEEN,MINNA

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended the efforts of the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his transformative approach to agriculture in Nigeria.

He made the commendation over the weekend during a courtesy call by a delegation of commissioners and special advisers from Niger State to Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

The visit included a tour of a cutting-edge soilless farm, where young Nigerlites were undergoing training in innovative agricultural techniques for eventual replication in Niger State.

he former President expressed his admiration for Governor Umaru Bago’s initiative, likening it to his own “Operation Feed the Nation” policy of his administration as a Military Head of State between 1976 and 1979.

He emphasised that, with modern equipment now available, the impact of such initiatives can be even greater than before.

The Elder Statesman highlighted the critical importance of agricultural self-sufficiency, stating, “Until Nigeria begins to feed itself, the challenges facing the country will persist. A nation that cannot feed itself is sitting on a time bomb.”

Obasanjo thereby urged other state governors to follow Niger State’s lead in agricultural development to ensure that Nigeria can produce the majority of its own food.

The former President also encouraged Governor Umaru Bago-led administration in Niger State to continue investing in agriculture and to explore modern methods to enhance existing practices.

He expressed his preparedness to visit Niger State very soon with his team to learn from their progress and exchange ideas to improve and add value to his own agricultural endeavours.

Chief Obasanjo also advised Nigerians to consider investing in soilless farming, warning that, with the current rate of land use, Nigeria could soon face a shortage of arable land.

He stressed that innovative farming techniques were essential to sustaining the nation’s agricultural productivity.

The Niger State government remains committed to advancing agriculture and will continue to seek out and implement innovative solutions to ensure the state’s and the nation’s food security.

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI, ABUJA

Determined to ensure food security, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun the distribution of approximately 900 metric tonnes of 30 trucks of assorted fertilizers to farmers in the nation’s capital.

Minister of state for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, while flagging off the distribution of the commodity in Abuja on Wednesday, revealed that the assorted fertilizers were donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMA&FS) to the administration for distribution to FCT farmers.

Mahmoud said that the event was a manifestation of the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic response with a view to addressing the global challenge of food shortages.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by the populace regarding the high cost of food items, Mahmoud expressed the commitment of the Administration to proactively implement measures to address the situation.

“As you may recall, within the past two months, we have undertaken several initiatives to enhance food production. In collaboration with the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank, we achieved a significant milestone by providing farmers with a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs.

“Building on this success, we also successfully distributed the palliatives approved by Mr. President, bringing much-needed relief and succor to the residents of the FCT,” she stressed.

She, however, assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat has fully adhered to the distribution guidelines outlined by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which includes the setting up of a broad-based Ad-hoc committee to strategize and come up with distribution plans that would ensure the fertilizers reach the intended beneficiaries.

The minister thanked partners for their support in training of Agricultural Extension Agents and farmers, stressing that the administration is committed to sustaining this synergy and continuing the efforts to empower agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.

The minister used the occasion to call on FCT residents, particularly the youth population, to take advantage of the vast arable land that the FCT is blessed with and venture into agriculture, no matter how small.

On his part, the Mandate Secretary Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Hon. Lawan Kolo Geidam, noted that the donation from the Central Bank of Nigeria; was apt and timely response to mitigate the adverse impact of the current global food crisis, exacerbated by climate change, low production, and high prices on Nigerians.

He further stressed that the intervention was also an unequivocal reaffirmation of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to his Renewed Hope Agenda, part of which prioritizes agricultural revitalization by empowering farmers with essential inputs.

“We are optimistic that the substantial quantity of fertilizers generously provided will yield a remarkable outcome, culminating in a bumper harvest this year, thereby enhancing food availability, improved nutrition, economic growth, and overall well-being of FCT residents,” he added.

Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Grace Adayilo, noted that the importance of agriculture in human livelihood cannot be overstated, as it serves as a vital source of food and economic prosperity for communities.

Adayilo assured that the fertilizers would be distributed to genuine farmers saying, “I want to assure you that the people you see here today, are farmers that have been certified by the committee as genuine farmers who have been in their different ways, adding value to the food production systems in the FCT.”

She further assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat would continue to implement measures to enhance the capacities of the extension agents across the 62 wards of the FCT.

By Francis Nansak Lafia

In view to boost Agriculture for Food Production, the Nasarawa State Government have made another remarkable stride by acquiring One Thousand Hectare of Land at Gitata in Panda Development Area of Karu Local Government Council, Nasarawa State.

The fate was achieved on Monday during a visit by the Honourable Commissioner for Lands Survey and Urban Development Ibrahim Bala Mulki to the palace of the Sangarin of Gitata, Chief Turaki D.Sangari .

The meeting offered the state government delegation led by the commissioner along with principal officers of the Ministry of Lands and Survey that includes directors to rob minds with the traditional ruler ,who later agreed that a portion of land be released for the take up of the project.

The commissioner who was delighted at the offer and the decision of the traditional ruler for considering as important government decision to invest on the soil of Gitata, added that the decision of government was in the best interest of the people and that of the entire state, especially at a period like this where agriculture should be encourage.

According to the commissioner ” Today we are here in your palace to established my call to you on phone about what government of Engineer Abdullahi Sule has in mind for your community.Baded on that call to you, we have come to hear and see you for the possible release of 1000 hectares of land for the purpose of agriculture development” He said.

Responding, the Sangarin Gitata, Alhaji Turaki warmly welcomed the state government delegation led by the commissioner for lands and gave his blessings for the take up of the project.

Earlier the Sangari who informed the commissioner that the particular area in demand are not fallow ground but part of it belong to the Gwandara and Fulani people ,however assured that he will meet with them and disclosed government intensions for the place .

The Sangari thank the Governor Engineer Abdullahi Sule for having it in mind to invest in his domain,saying the moves buttress the fact that Nasarawa State Government has it people at heart for all round development.