Daniel, Zulum chart path towards food security, national development

Former Governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Gbenga Daniel, has urged Nigerians to get back to farming for the country to become one of the world’s top producers of rice.

Daniel, who spoke, yesterday, in Sagamu, during the opening of a training workshop, said that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is dedicated to elevating Nigeria to the status of one of the world’s top producers of rice. He said Tinubu had resolved to revitalise the agriculture industry and support workable plans to improve the nation’s food security.

The senator, while acknowledging that Nigeria has great potential in rice cultivation and production, said it is necessary for citizens to rekindle their interest in farming to meet local consumption and generate foreign exchange for the nation.

He said his goal was to increase the benefits of democracy and bring the government closer to his people by creating a training plan for rice farmers.

Daniel, therefore, urged Nigerians to assist the current government in addressing the numerous issues confronting the nation and provide assistance to its citizens.

The event, sponsored by the former governor, in collaboration with the National Productivity Centre, saw distribution of free rice seedlings and fertilisers to no fewer than 100 participants.

ALSO, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said that without good governance, growth and development within the nation would be unattainable. He stated this during the convocation lecture titled, “Leadership and Citizenship: Meeting Contemporary Social Challenges in Nigeria,” held at Trenchard hall, University of Ibadan (UI).

Zulum stressed the importance of an active and symbiotic relationship between leadership and citizenship, noting that both leaders and citizens must be collectively committed to the cause of nation-building.

Director-General of the Centre, Dr. Nasir Raji-Mustapha, said rice production, if properly harnessed, would be the “new oil” for the country’s economy.

Raji-Mustapha, who was represented by Linda Bitrus, commended Daniel for complementing Federal Government’s efforts at improving citizens’ productivity. He, therefore, challenged the training attendees to return the organisers’ goodwill.