Peter Obi advocates agricultural investment in Kebbi State
Former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has urged the Kebbi State government and stakeholders to prioritize massive investment in agriculture.
During his visit, Obi pointed out the vast agricultural lands in Kebbi and the entire North West geopolitical zone, comparing them to Ukraine, which recently donated grains to Nigeria despite having less cultivated land.
Obi stated that investing in agriculture is crucial for Nigeria’s future, stating that it could solve problems such as insecurity, poverty, inflation, and food insufficiency.
He called on the Federal Government to prioritize agriculture over oil, noting that Nigeria has the largest uncultivated land in the world, mostly in the northern part of the country.
“With effective agriculture production, the sector has the capacity to take millions of Nigerians out of poverty and address the problems of insecurity in the country.
“In addition, agriculture is the basic foundation for attaining food security, eliminating hunger, and also serving as a foreign exchange earner to stabilise any economy,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State Governor lauded Kebbi State as an agricultural hub with the capacity to feed the nation through increased production.
“I am on a private visit to Kebbi State, as I have already visited Nasarawa, Niger, and Sokoto States to be part of the Ramadan breakfast with our fellow Muslims and identify areas of need where I can assist,” He added.
During his visit, Obi provided Ramadan breakfast to 100 Muslim faithful and commissioned a solar-powered borehole at Hutawa Fulani settlement.
He also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Illiyasu Bashar, and met with Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris.
Governor Idris reiterated his administration’s commitment to investing in human capacity development and agriculture for economic development.
In his remarks, the Emir of Gwandu and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammad Illiyasu Bashar urged Nigerian leaders to listen to the former Governor of Anambra State.
The Emir, who stated this while addressing Obi and his entourage during their courtesy visit to him at his palace in Birnin Kebbi, said, he had been listening and heard all what Obi has proffered as solutions to Nigeria’s problems and his recommendations must be noted.
The traditional ruler appreciated Obi for visiting him during Ramadan, stating that he had known Obi for a long time since he was in Enugu in 1966.
“I was not surprised that you are going around the country to tell us what we should do to make Nigeria a great country. We have heard about what you are talking about in our country and it is high time we take note of that.
“Our leaders should take note of what you are telling us on how to make our country prosperous.
“You are telling us how we have large areas of land, young men who are capable, strong enough, educated enough to make Nigeria a great nation”, the Emir stated.
