A Former Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe and the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago have said that, harnessing Nigeria’s agricultural potentials is crucial to the nation’s economic prosperity.
They spoke at the Colloquium on Agriculture with the theme “Food and the Nation” organsied by the Etsu Nupe His Royal Highness Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar on Saturday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised to mark his 21st year on the throne, his 72nd birthday and the launch of the Endowment Fund Launch for the Etsu Yahaya Foundation.
Speaking on the topic “Food and the Nation” Ogbe commended the Etsu for choosing the topic, adding that he is “a true father and an observer who is never removed from the needs of people”.
He explained that agriculture has now become an exclusive refuge for the poor and the old as young persons are not interested.
He said there was need to change that perception because the most dangerous enemy facing Nigeria today is hunger.
“While the federal government is emphasising investment in the sector, not all the sub-nationals are showing corresponding interest.
“Agriculture needs the support of other services in the economy, such as rural roads, small bridges, tricycles to transport the farmer to his farm and bring back his goods.”
Ogbe lamented that Nigeria’s agricultural export was dwindling adding that Ghana is the biggest exporter of yams, though Nigeria is the biggest producers.
According to Ogbe, food problem is a serious one and it has to be dealt with to curb the emergence of other problems.
He, therefore, advocated for a shift towards mechanised farming, and urged youths to embrace agriculture and not shy from it because it holds the key to Nigeria’s prosperity.
On his part, Bago, said he made agriculture his top priority and applauded President Bola Tinubu for guaranteeing food security and his belief that Nigeria has to be a sovereign nation in terms of food.
He said Nigeria has no business being poor adding that the nation’s agricultural potentials, when fully harnessed, would bring prosperity.
“I commend the Etsu’s foundation for taking the giant stride in promoting agriculture and food security so that the next generation of Nigerians will see that there is a way out of poverty.
“ I chose to be called a farmer governor because I saw prosperity in agriculture and I saw that there is a wide gap between the generation Z and agriculture,” he said.
Bago added that he decided to bridge that gap to make people understand that as a farmer you can be a governor too, because there is prosperity and wealth in agriculture.
“The minimum wage of some farmers on our farmland in Niger state is N500,000 and I bet you, many top officials at the federal level don’t take N500,000 salary,” he said
Bago congratulated the Etsu at 72 and prayed that God would bless him with much health, stamina and agility adding that his leadership guidance has been pivotal to the stability and the focus of his government.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Col. Sanni Bello (Rtd) represented by Brig.-Gen. Tunde Ogbeha, congratulated the Etsu and prayed that he would continue to age with grace, prosperity and long life.
Bello called for support for the foundation, adding that it would make youths very productive, provide food, security among others to not only Niger state, but to the entire nation.
“This colloquium is very apt and I believe it will provide solutions that is affecting agriculture, not only in Niger states, but in Nigeria.”
The Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, expressed appreciation for being celebrated, adding that he decided to discuss agriculture to beam light on its potentials.
Abubakar said by reviving the Baro port and agriculture, Nigeria would experience a revolution in the sector.
He called for traditional rulers to have constitutional backing adding it would aid in bridging the gap between government and the people for effective programme implementation.
The Etsu said he decided to float a foundation to support education, healthcare, agriculture, and youth empowerment.(NAN)
