Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu says agriculture is a critical democratic strategy of ensuring the involvement of people in participatory democracy .
“Democracy is a majority dominated system and its benefits must work for all,” Bagudu, said.
The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum was speaking in Sokoto on Tuesday, as a Guest Speaker at the 4th Annual National Conference of the Faculty of Management Sciences of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
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The Conference has as its theme, ” Managing Complex Democracy in the 21st Century.”
He specifically spoke on the agricultural revolution in Kebbi State, in particular, and Nigeria, in general.
Gov. Bagudu also stated that agriculture was an ultimate democratic tool that entails the involvement of all the people.
He cited some schemes by the Federal and Kebbi State Governments that are taking everybody along, saying, “”this is to ensure the inclusion of all.”
Bagudu further particularly said that Kebbi State was getting it right in agriculture because his administration has implemented all these thriving schemes like the Anchor Borrower’s Programme.
“We have also gotten money for the farmers from other sources, while we have attracted myriad of investments.
“These investments are yielding fruits as many rice farms, rice mills and other agro-enterprises are now dotting the landscape of the state.”
The Kebbi State Governor however stressed the need to source more funds for agricultural develoment in the state and Nigeria, in general.
Bagudu also stated that the ethanol Bio-fuel project in collaboration with NNPC was on course in the state.
According to Bagudu, the global investments in agriculture was causing a stir in the agro-economy of developing nations like Nigeria.
He therefore underscored the need for the formulation of a world agricultural trade agreement to redress the imbalance.
“We have done well, but the biggest challenge is that our economy is too small.
“We have too little resources and more funds are required to bolster the development of all forms of agriculture,including livestock and fisheries,” Bagudu, urged.
On banditry, Bagudu said, “it is a function of the failure to include people enough.”
He also recalled his meeting with no fewer than 1,600 Fulani herdsmen who reechoed the same stance.
Bagudu lauded the University for organizing the conference as part of its contributions to solve societal problems.
The governor specifically commended the Institution for supporting the state and his administration, adding, “many distinguished academics from it are helping us.”
The Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who was represented by his Commissioner of Animal Health, Alhaji Usman Jibril as Guest of honor at the program commended the University and the Faculty in particular for organizing the conference for the fourth time in a row.
He expressed the hope that the conference would find solutions to Nigeria’s complex democratic challenges by coming out with a feasible blue print for the country.
“The academia world wide are known for providing solutions to problems and challenges to countries.”
On his part, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, the Executive Secretary Police Trust Fund represented by Alhaji Shehu Usman Ladan described the conference as not only apt but also timely in view of challenges Nigeria’s democracy is facing in the 21st century and the need to manage them.
Earlier, the Chief host, the Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Professor L S Bilbis while welcoming all the participants especially the distinguished personalities for attending the conference said over the years, the faculty of Management Sciences National conference played vital role in the University academia and Government policy formulation .
According to him , the research findings of the faculty has led to formulation of documents which have assisted the government in providing the frame work for informed policy decisions.
The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Managing the Challenges of Nigeria’s Complex Democracy in the 21st Century ‘ is hoped to once again provide the needed ideas for managing the challenges of complex democracy in the 21st Century Nigeria .
Professor Mumamad Zaiyan of the Department of Political Science represented by Professor Y. C Baba presented Lead Paper with the theme : Nigeria’s Democratic Journey : Hope, Despair and Change
