By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi has described as an act of ignorance and mediocrity for someone to politicize governance, especially when it comes to the provision of basic necessities of life or social amenities.
“There is governance electioneering campaign and there is responsibility for governing, because everybody, irrespective of those who voted for us are our responsibility. I congratulate Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this initiative of Irrigate Nigeria Project”.
The Governor was speaking at the launching of 30, 000 hectres of irrigation land first phase of the ‘Irrigate Nigeria Project’ conceived by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) under the Presidency, being implemented by Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF)
Governor Bala said that Bauchi is fully committed to this noble vision, and assured that the state government will continue to invest in human capital development, technology and innovative agricultural policies to make Nigeria self-sufficiency in food production, as per the vision of Mr. President.
“This initiative of Irrigate Nigeria Project is not about politics, it is about development and progress. When it comes to the issue that attract the lives of our people, we must look beyond political divides and focus what truly matters”, he stated.
The Governor therefore expressed his deepest gratitude to Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NASENI, RHIDF, Industrial Development Find, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and all stakeholders who have played a role in bringing this noble vision to fruition”.
Looking into how Nigerians of various shades of life, the Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas, Christians and Muslims from different callings converged on the programme, Irrigate Nigeria, in the drive to salvage the country from want, poverty and hunger, the governor announced the allocation of 50, 000 hectres of land in Toro LGA of the state to boost both food and cash crops production.
Senator Bala Mohammed who was vividly worried with the non-appearance of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar who hailed from Gamawa LGA of the state to represent Mr. President at the occasion, frowned at such attitude, quoting the adage, “Together we stand, divided we fall”.
He explained, “Food security is not the job of one level of government, I meant it is not just for the federal government alone to do it, it is our collective responsibility. The federal government, state and local government must work together with the communities and private sector to achieve sustainable food production”.
Senator Bala disclosed that his administration in it’s efforts to develop human capital, trained 10, 000 youths in modern agricultural techniques and value chains opportunities, and many of them have today become successful in entrepreneurship, stressing that the state is not just creating jobs, but creating jobs creators.
Mohammed further explained that the project is more than just about farming, it is food security, economic empowerment and national stability, as it admires perfectly with Nigeria broader goals of expanding irrigation farming reducing defendant on rain-fed agricultural while promoting sustainable agricultural infrastructure.
According to him, the project if implemented as designed, will have multiplier effects across the agricultural value chains, both vertically and horizontally, driving knowledge transfer, introducing advanced technologies, and distribute wealth equitably, ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of the society benefits from this transformation.
“The success of the commercial agriculture in a place like Udubo area which is close to the sahel of Yobe state, proved with the right technology and ideas, every part of Nigeria can achieve all- year round agricultural production. This initiative would not only transform Gamawa, but would also serve as a model for other regions across Nigeria”.
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