President Buhari Hails Agency as It Showcase Agricultural Strides
By Ene Okwanihe, Abuja
The Nigerian President has hailed the National Agricultural Land Development Authority NALDA for its achievements in boosting food security and job creation in rural Nigeria within two years of its resuscitation.
President Muhammadu Buhari while delivering the keynote address at the unveiling of NALDA’s achievements in Abuja, Nigeria’ capital said NALDA have undertaken projects that have impacted the lives of Nigerians.
President Buhari who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha said resuscitating NALDA is one the achievements he is proud to be bequeathing to whoever that would succeed him.
“I am proud that my administration will bequeathing lasting legacies to the next administration with NALDA being a clear example. This is in addition to the recent discovery and commencement of drilling of oil in the north; the gains made in the area of securing lives and property in the country; and my commitment to free, fair and credible elections amongst many others”
He said NALDA’s role goes beyond just land clearing as it is all encompassing and geared towards achieving food security and that his administration would ensure that the six geopolitical zones in the country get surveillance and spraying drones and equipment for agricultural mechanisation.
“The equipment you are seeing here today are part of the ones already procured by NALDA. In addition to this spraying Aircraft, we are going to acquire more equipment to ensure national coverage in the coming months of this administration”
President Buhari added that agriculture is one of the easiest and fastest ways to engage the youth and reduce unemployment while urging corporate bodies, international organizations, and other countries to partner with and invest in NALDA in order to further develop Nigeria’s agricultural space.
NALDA
The Executive Secretary of NALDA Prince Paul Ikonne while welcoming the guest said is committed to empowering women and youth in the country through agriculture and transforming the rural areas.
“NALDA as an agency under the president that is committed to using agriculture to empower the youths”
Ikonne noted that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to using NALDA to lift Nigerians out of poverty.
Ikonne appreciated the state governors for their support and members of the diplomatic corps present for their support particularly in the areas of capacity building.
BORNO
The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum said within the two years of its resuscitation it has done a lot to improve agricultural production in Nigeria.
“NALDA within the few years of its re-establishment has done a lot to ensure increased agricultural production both in crop and livestock with a view to achieving food security both in quantity and quality”
Professor Zulum noted that NALDA’s activities in addressing some of the root causes of insurgency in the state are a welcomed development.
He assured NALDA of the support of the Nigerian Governors forum with the view of achieving the objective of Land development and crop production.
FCT
Reacting to the gesture NALDA, The Minister of State for FCT, Hajia Ramatu Aliyu commended NALDA’s efforts and also assured the agency of the Federal Capital Territory’s commitment to the success of the project.
The agency had on display at the venue, eight tractors, five combine harvesters, one surveillance and spraying drone, one hundred water pumps and accessories, one hundred solar panels and accessories, one hundred and fifty threshers, eighteen planters, thirty-six soil testing kits and three hundred bags of sorghum.
For the Poultry equipment, four hundred bird cages and six thousand four weeks old chickens to be distributed to four beneficiaries within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were also showcased.
