Kaduna state secures hosting rights for 2025 Agric council meeting

* Benue frowns

National Council on Agriculture and Food Security Meeting has agreed to host its next edition in Kaduna, while Benue, a contending state expressed dissatisfaction about the selection process.

Kaduna state was announced by the chairman of the council meeting Sen. Abubabar Kyari after a very keen voting process with Benue state.

The commissioner of Agriculture, Kaduna state, Murtala Dabo has expressed readiness to host stakeholders in the 47th editions of the meetings in 2025 just as his contender from Benue state expressed dissatisfaction saying the opportunity should have been given to his state being the basket food of the nation.

Dabo said that " Kaduna is well equipped to host this prestigious event given its strategic position as an Agricutural hub in Northern Nigeria and our continued efforts to booster food security. We look forward to welcoming delegates from 36 states and the FCT to our state next year"

However the hosting decision has been met with dissatisfaction from the Benue state commissioner of Agriculture who expressed his displeasure over the voting process that accommodated another vote after the exercise is being declared over.

Kaduna's successful bid to host the 2025 meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security was confirmed during the closing session of the 2024 meeting, held in Cross River State. The announcement was met with applause from representatives of Kaduna State, who highlighted the state's robust agricultural sector particularly in crops like maize, groundnuts, and cattle farming.

While Kaduna state was celebrating its hosting right, the contending state has expressed disappointment saying Benue being the basket food of the nation deserves the hosting right.

The Agric commissioner of the state, Mr. John Ebo criticized the voting process saying that " We believe that Benue state being a major contributor to Nigeria's food production should have been considered more seriously for its role to food security. Our state plays a crucial role in feeding the nation and supporting the livelihood of millions of Nigeria who depend on Agriculture "

Also, a participant from Benue state, Mrs.  Nancy Obaji expressed concern saying that the decision may undermine the Agricutural activities of the state.

"We hope in the future, the process for selecting the hosting state for such a critical event will be more inclusive and transparent." she said.