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…Says Nigeria challenges will persist until she starts feeding herself
By Wole Mosadomi, Minna
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the future of the country is still bleak without agriculture and therefore called on all tiers of government and individuals to henceforth invest heavily on agriculture.
Obasanjo who spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun state when some commissioners and Special Advisers from Niger state paid him a courtesy visit in his residence said a nation that cannot feed itself is sitting on a time bomb which can explode anytime.
“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,” he declared.
While calling on all Nigerians to embrace farming headlong, the former President lauded the efforts of the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago for his transformative approach to agriculture in Nigeria.
Besides the official visit to General Obasanjo, the entourage also visited a cutting-edge soilless farm where young Nigerlites are undergoing training in innovative agricultural techniques for eventual replication in Niger State.
Obasanjo likened the transformation Agenda on Agriculture to his own “Operation Feed the Nation” policy of 1976 pointing out that with modern equipment now available, the impact of such initiatives can be even greater than before.
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 adding that innovative farming techniques are essential to sustaining the nation’s agricultural productivity.
In a Press Release by Special Adviser to Niger state Governor on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso said the former president 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 just as he encouraged Niger State to continue investing in agriculture and to explore modern methods to enhance existing practices.
He expressed his intention to visit Niger State with his team to learn from the progress made so far and exchange ideas to improve and add value to his own agricultural endeavors.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hauwa Bako, Special Adviser and Focal Person on Social Investment Programmes expressed gratitude to the former President, noting that the team visited his villa to draw from his vast experience and wisdom adding that 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.