By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government is pursuing aggressive improvements in agricultural mechanisation, research, extension services, land development, amongst others.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Mustapha Baba Shehuri, who made this disclosure, stated that these policies will help the country achieve economic growth.
Mr Shehuri, while addressing some youths in Borno State recently, noted that these are part of efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to mitigate the hardship faced by the citizens in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic which has altered the dynamics of global governance, Nigeria inclusive.
“Our march to the attainment of sustainable food security, employment, revenue generation, production and supply of raw materials to agro-industries, promotion of market accessibility and competitiveness for foreign exchange earnings and rural socio-economic development is fully guaranteed through various agricultural programmes and projects put in place by this administration,” he said at the gathering, which had Governor of the state, Mr Babagana Zulum, and the Shehu of Borno, Mr Abubakar Umar-Garba Ibn El-Kanemi, in attendance.
The Minister said the youths have a lot to benefit from these schemes, saying that they were factored into the initiative when they were being designed by the federal government.
He commended the peaceful conduct of Borno youths during the #EndSARS protest and reiterated the federal government’s commitment towards addressing all their grievances.
According to him, “Mr President has specially commended the decorum exhibited by the youth in Borno State during the recent widespread protest and further advised that they maintain that peaceful conduct, brotherhood and communal harmony, so that the state can spring back to its historic amiable position as the centre of peace in the country.”
He appealed to all Nigerians, particularly the youths, to embrace peace and stop the looting of warehouses across the country while addressing youth leaders and stakeholders in home state, Borno.
Mr Shehuri noted that the decision of the federal government to close “the borders have resulted in a phenomenal increase in local rice production and value increase, curtail smuggling activities injurious to our economy and boost our internally generated revenue.”
He urged the people of the state to continue to support the administration of President Buhari so as to achieve the national goal of a prosperous stable and peaceful Nigeria.
Governor Zulum, in his remarks, commended the federal government for supporting the state government, which he said has initiated viable projects to transform the state, adding that he remains focused on reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of persons affected by the insurgency.
Adedapo Adesanya