Jibrin, Kyari applaud Senator Mustapha for promoting Tinubu’s agriculture, food security agenda

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, on Friday, said the empowerment programme of Senator Saliu Mustapha was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agriculture and food security agenda.

Mustapha (APC Kwara Central) distributed empowerment tools and materials to over 2,500 constituents in Ilorin. The event tagged, ‘Alubarika 1.0 Agricultural and Human Capital Development Empowerment Programme’ was held at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority’s premises in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Jibrin, who led other senators to the programme, donated 200 sewing machines for onward distribution to the Kwara Central constituents.

Jibrin said: “We have all decided to come here and share this moment with our brother, Senator Saliu Mustapha, because of this great empowerment programme for constituents in the area of agriculture and human capital development.

“These are key areas that are very important to our national development. We don’t need to waste much time talking about the importance of agriculture in every society. Agriculture is sine qua non to the survival of every society because without food no life. And this is a cardinal programme of this administration and the Renewed Hope of Mr President.

“No wonder the constituents decided to pick Saliu Mustapha, who is an outstanding person and party leader in this country.

“He is a very friendly human being, industrious and peaceful, who connects with everybody in the Senate. In fact, you have done the right thing by electing him.

“All the time he’s going to speak on the floor of the Senate, it’s about what is going to come to Kwara.”

On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Kyari lauded Mustapha for implementing projects that promote food security in the country in line with the objectives of the present administration.

Kyari said: “You are doing well on the floor of the Senate. Tinubu’s food security initiative is working. Food isn’t only becoming affordable but available. Tinubu is working to promote agriculture.

“I am happy that the Chairman of the Senate Committee with oversight for my ministry is also promoting Tinubu’s agenda. I pray to Almighty Allah to protect and guide us.”

Mustapha said the empowerment was meant to make the beneficiaries, which included market women, farmers, artisans and trade associations, to become self-reliant.

He said that apart from the physical empowerment materials, the beneficiaries had been trained and certificated on how to use the tools and carry out their trade as entrepreneurs.

Mustapha said: “Today’s programme is just a symbolic one to flag off what we intend to do with most of our people we have trained.

“This time around, we decided that it is not only about giving out sewing machines or giving out things to people and they will not value it.

“We decided to put them through a series of programmes and trainings. In fact, we are missing out one vital aspect. Everywhere you go now, you’ll see solar streetlights.

“We took time to train our people who are interested in learning to maintain, repair and install solar panels.

“The most fascinating part was when I came during a training exercise and I saw a lot of women who were part of it.

“I saw them in their overall; they are fully trained now on how to install, repair and maintain solar inverters. All of them are here too and they will get their working tools.

“Most of the people you see here under the canopies are not just political spectators; these are carefully chosen beneficiaries who have been trained. We are not holding a political rally or jamboree here.”

Apart from the prior entrepreneurial training and certification of the beneficiaries by the lawmaker, empowerment materials distributed during the event, which was well attended by dignitaries and beneficiaries, included 250 deep freezers, tricycles, 100 live cows, 400 grinding machines, eight tractors for all the local councils in Kwara Central, vehicles, gas powered oven with cylinders, 400 irrigation machines, full university scholarship for 200 students, various food stuffs, fertilizers and farm inputs and power transformers among others.

Apart from Senator Jibrin and Senator Kyari, other dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South); Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno; Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru; National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Chief Imam of Ilorin, Muhammadu Bashir; Emir of Ilorin, Sulu Gambari represented by Modibo Sulu Gambari and Senator Aminu Iyal Abass, among others.