Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has said investments in the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) were already paying off, with the attendant multiplier effects on the economy and Nigeria’s food security.
Bagudu spoke on Tuesday at Zauro, Kebbi State, during the commemoration of the Rice Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, National Rice Festival and the flag off of the 2020/2021 Dry Season Rice Cultivation.
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He sad “RIFAN is today displaying these successes and gains of the last five years by showing this massive array of rice pyramids.
“This is a great testament to the happy journey so far in spite of the devastating effects of the global Coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic on the economy, flood disasters and other issues.
“Our hard working populace have been supported by good economic policies by President Muhammadu Buhari, economic Institutions like the CBN, other agencies and other commercial banks.
“Nigerians have been resiliently at work, hence we are celebrating these achievements recorded in the last five years.
“The last five years have given us great hopes that agriculture will continue to produce the desired results.”
Bagudu expressed delight that President Muhammadu Buhari has graciously been supporting the states as well as the CBN that agricultural financing was no longer a problem to small scale producers in Nigeria.
The Kebbi State Governor also noted that CBN, under its Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has taken the risk showed commitment and pumped more money to small scale farmers, a situation that was never seen in Nigeria.
According to Bagudu, that was a great feat achievements under President Muhammadu Buhari, saying, “with the right support and policies, Nigerian farmers can favourably compete with their colleagues from across the world.
He acknowledged the suport of all the stakeholders and noted that Nigerian farmers were now producing more healthier and hyeginic rice.
Bagudu disclosed that there was no any blockade on the transportation of food stuffs to the southern parts of the country as being insinuated by some disgruntled social media pundits.
Also speaking, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, commended Buhari and Bagudu, for their uncommon support in the last five years of the ABP existence.
Emefiele also sad that the event gave the happy moment to celebrate the gains of the programme, saying, “Kebbi has been an integral part of the ABP.”
The CBN also eulogized the commitment of Bagudu and expressed delight that Kebbi State has today been known as the cradle of ABP in Nigeria and Buhari was desirous of sustaining the tempo.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi,also said: “We are here to show solidarity to with the Magician, our brother, the Governor of Kebbi State.”
Fayemi also stated that ABP has increased the capacity of Nigerians to “produce what they eat and eat what they produce,in line with the directive of Buhari.”
Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani also lauded Bagudu for making Kebbi as one of the flagship states of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and averred,” Bagudu is now the Governor of all Governors and not only Kebbi State.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, also extolled the achievements of the programme, sequel to the unwavering commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, Bagudu, Emefiele and other stakeholders.
The sultan further stressed the need for leaders in the country to be just and accountable, saying, “lack of food is lack of everything and without food, you can’t do anything, even worship.”
Also speaking, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah disclosed that Nigeria possesses the capacity to feed her citizens, her neighbors and even the West African Sub region.
Na’Allah also stated that Kebbi State was abundantly endowed and its people have the undying zeal to contribute to national development.
The Beninoise Foreign Minister, who led a high powered delegation of four other Ministers, Beninoise Ambassador to Nigeria and a Senator, said that Nigeria and Benin Republics were one and the same.
“Anything that destroys Nigeria, destroys Benin Republic. Our President has also promised to ban any product that is banned by Nigeria,” he added.
The National President of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, expressed happiness the Almighty Allah has given Nigeria a visionary leader, who is very sincere and committed.
He noted that, consequently, Nigeria was no longer solely dependent on imported polluted foreign rice
“Happily, the Kebbi State Governor and the CBN Governor have translated this commitment of Buhari and that is why we are celebrating today.
“Otherwise,this epoch-making event should have been conducted in Niger or Benin Republics.”
Among the important personalities who attended the commemorative event were, Senator, members of House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly and other members of the Assembly, State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe Dabai, the Chief of staff Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu (Jarman Kabi), the SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Sufyanu Bena, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries.
Others were emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera, representatives of the emirs of Yauri and Zuru. Local Government Chairmen, thausands of Farmers and other people from different works of life.
