Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has described Northern Nigeria including Niger State, as undoubtedly the food lifeline of the country.
Governor Sani Bello stated this in his address when he played host to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his entourage at a townhall meeting with Northern Agro Commodity Groups in Minna, Niger State.
He expressed optimism that the Tinubu/Shetima government if elected would lead the nation to the promised land considering the fact that concerted efforts have been made to focus on Agriculture as a major driver of the nation’s economy rejuvenation.
Governor Sani Bello highlighted some of the efforts made by his administration towards developing agricultural sector in the state, urging that the state should be considered in all plans and strategies emanating from the meeting based on the comparative advantage of the state.
“Over the years, our Government in Niger state has continued to support the development of agriculture in crop, livestock and fisheries production. We have reactivated some out of the 19 moribund irrigation schemes in the state as well the rehabilitation of over 300km rural access roads through the implementation of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) programme.
“Out of the 25 grazing reserves in the state, we have gazetted eight among which is the 36,000 hectares Bobi Grazing Reserve; the reserve has attracted five International Investors for the production of diary and other associated livestock products and over 1,300 hectares of pasture plots have been fully developed and basic facilities provided towards making the reserve viable”.
Addressing the gathering, the APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu promised to bring reforms that would revamp the Agricultural sector and its potentials so as to make it perform optimally.
Tinubu who said the prosperity of the nation is with the farmers, assured that the Agric reforms that the National Agricultural Commodity Directorate will carry out when established, would enhance food security and export.
According to him, “be reassured that protection is here, nothing you produce will be destroyed. We will implement our programmes and keep to our promises”.
He sympathized with victims of flood in the country noting that it is a natural disaster that could be better managed.
The APC National Chairman Alh. Abdullahi Adamu, Director General, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Simon Lalong and Kebbi State Governor who doubles as the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu, Niger State APC Gubernatorial candidate, Umar Mohammed Bago were among other leaders of the party and members of the Presidential Campaign Council were in attendance.
Several Farmer Groups took turns to pledge their total support for Tinubu come 2023.
