*commend Buhari for supporting agricultural
programs
Nigeria’s
former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said he was impressed with the
impact the Nigeria Zero Hunger Forum (NZHF) was making especially in promoting
healthy competition among states with a view to achieving food security.
The
former President made this conclusion on 7 November at the NZHF meeting in
Ebonyi state. The Ebonyi meeting was the second NZHF assembly after Benue
hosted a similar one in June.
“I
see a healthy competition between states which is good, ” the former President
said as participating governors recounted progress made towards food security
in their respective domains.
The
governors said that in less than a year the Zero Hunger initiative was already having
a positive impact on the food security of their states.
According
to them, the initiative through its peer advisory/review mechanism has brought
a new vigor and zeal to the agricultural sector with more commitments by
participating states. They also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his strong
support to the states’ agricultural programs.
For
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, there is now a realization of untapped agricultural
opportunities that the state can explore to benefit its people, thanks to the
NZHF.
Describing
the Zero Hunger Forum as a great initiative, Governor Ortom said the state
keyed into the initiative with the conviction that it would help the state to
maintain its pride as the food basket of the country.
“We
have keyed into this program and believe that through NZHF, Nigeria will be
helped,” he added.
The
governor explained that the recently passed anti-grazing bill was aimed at
promoting peace between herdsmen and crop farmers with a view to achieving zero
hunger by 2030. He further announced that the state would also facilitate peace
between the people of Agila in Benue and Ngbo in Ebonyi to end the border crises
and bring peace in that area, so farmers can go back to farming.
Governor
David Umahi of Ebonyi state said the benefits of the Nigeria Zero Hunger
initiative were priceless as participating states were learning from each
other.
“When
we went to Benue, we learnt from them and today, Benue and other states are
here to also learn from us,” he said.
The Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim
Shettima, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa, expressed
gratitude to the NZHF for the support given to the state early this year to
cushion the effects of insurgency.
Particularly mentioned were the “seeds of renaissance”
from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), AfricaRice,
and ICRISAT, and the rice from Ebonyi to feed the internally displaced persons
(IDPs) in Borno State.
The
Zero Hunger meeting in Ebonyi was attended by more than 500 persons including policymakers
and development partners.
The
meeting discussed the progress made by Ebonyi state towards the attainment of
zero hunger.
The
President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akin Adesina who was represented
by the Director (Agriculture), Dr Chiji Ojukwu, commended the implementation of
the initiative and reiterated the Bank’s support to feeding Africa. He reminded
stakeholders that Africa must take agriculture seriously and implement policies
and programs that would engender inclusive growth.
The
Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, pledged the Institute’s
commitment to supporting and working with states to achieve their food security
goals.
Participants at the meeting included the host,
Governor Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Ortom of Benue State, Governor Aminu
Tambuwal of Sokoto, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, Deputy Governor Alhaji
Usman of Borno State, and a representative of the Chair of the Senate Committee
on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Participants from the donor and international
community included Dr. Sanginga, Director General of IITA; Dr. Ojukwu, Director
(Agriculture) of AfDB; Dr. Abiodun Oladipo, World Food Program; Dr. Abraham
Shaibu, AfricaRice; Dr. Tawanda Muzhingi, International Potato Center (CIP);
members of Ebonyi State Executive Council, representatives from the Federal
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, academia, the private sector,
farmer groups, traditional rulers, and members of the press.
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