Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu says agriculture is a major money spinner for Nigeria as evidenced by the priority placed on it by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bagudu spoke on Monday in Birnin Kebbi at the opening of a five-day Skills Acquisition Training and Youths Empowerment.
It was organized by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), with a theme:” Modern Farming Methods Using Improved Farming Implements in Kebbi State”
The governor said that Buhari was fully committed to transforming agriculture by adequately funding Science and Engineering, saying, ” agriculture is science.”
According to Bagudu, science was greatly boosting yields across Nigeria and reducing problems affecting the sector.
The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum further said science was improving yields and outputs and Buhari has shown commitment to make Nigeria self sufficient in food production.
“NASENI hosts the best brains and it is helping us to do much better in agriculture.
“I must thank Buhari, our State and the nation. Other countries are facing food shortages and Nigeria is not, just higher prices,” he said.
He said that there are opportunities for youths in agriculture, saying, ” you can become billionaires and be at par with your peers across the world.”
The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, said the training would drastically reduce youths restiveness and help in achieving Buhari’s dreams of empowering the youths.
Malami said that it would also bolster food and general security, as well as boost national development.
Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman /CEO of NASENI, Prof. Muhammed Sani Haruna said the five-day training workshop has been designed to induct the participants on modern farming techniques and mechanisation.
He said Nigeria must move away from traditional farming methods and imbibe modern technology to revolutionise production for food security, availability and export .
Professor Muhammadu Sani Haruna was full of praises for Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his support to NASENI and advice to the agency.
He extolled Bagudu for contributing immensely to the transformation and transiton of the agency to its present enviable state as well as food security in Nigeria.
He also commended the Minister of Justice for facilitating the implementation of the Legal instrument for the establishment of NASENI and take off of its operations.
Professor Muhammad presented letter of approval from President Muhammadu Buhari to Kebbi State Governor for the establishment of a Skill Acquisition Center at Bagudo under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure ( NASENI ) .
He announced the establishment of Six Zonal Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Institutes of which Kebbi has been selected as the location of the Institute for the North West Zone.
The Kebbi State APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu delivered good will message at the occasion and lauded both President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Bagudu for their efforts in the Agriculture sector for Nigeria to attain food security.
Among those who spoke at the event was the Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Professor Lawal Bilbis
