Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has flagged off the Food Security and Agricultural Mechanization Programme in Niger State.
He noted that his administration remains committed to ensuring food sufficiency and protecting local industries for sustainable economic growth.
The project, an initiative of the Niger State government, is for the deployment of agricultural machinery and technology for large-scale agro-value chain development in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu said the event represents another step in the food security and agricultural mechanization agenda.
TINUBU – Nigeria President
“We have seen the level of commitment here. We have seen leadership. The success of any leader will depend on the ability to do what needs to be done when it ought to be done. It is now time for us to address the challenges and make Nigeria an economy of opportunities. We must care for our people; and re-orient our people. I do not see why Nigeria cannot feed all students in its schools.
President Tinubu urged sub-national governments, to implement wage awards in their states.
TINUBU- Nigeria President
“I am equally here to partner with you to banish hunger. You are doing the job. And it is necessary for me to support you; it is mandatory as Nigerians. When you read newspapers, some of us are confused about whether to abuse the past or the present or to make excuses for the future. But that is not in my dictionary. I think the action now, re-engineer the finances of our country and steer it on the right path.
He also talked about the Student Loan programme.
TINUBU- Nigeria President
“The student loan programme will commence. There will be unemployment benefits for our graduates. The social security benefits for the elderly and the vulnerable will commence. We are fine-tuning all of that area. We need to relieve our people of hunger. Let all the sub-nationals start paying wage awards, pending when the minimum wage is increased. I am not giving an order; I am only appealing. NEC should adopt this,” the President said.
Appreciating the President for honouring his invitation and inaugurating the facilities, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago said four states, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, and Lagos had already signed memoranda of understanding on building partnerships for the development of agriculture.
MOHAMMED UMAR BAGO- Governor of Niger State
“Mr. President, your presence here today underscores the importance of this occasion for our state in particular and Nigeria as a whole, as we gather to celebrate a good example demonstrated in our modest contribution to infrastructure and agricultural development encapsulated in our New Niger Agenda.
BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU- GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari disclosed that the federal government had signed an agreement with the Brazilian Government and German Deutsch Bank Group as financiers of a facility of 995 million euros for the Green Imperative Programme which will provide mechanization hubs across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria when implemented.
While in Niger State, President Tinubu also visited former Nigerian Heads of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar with whom he had fruitful discussions concerning the advancement of the nation.
