Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has stated that his administration’s goal of investing in agriculture since assuming office is to address the rising poverty levels, especially in rural areas.
He noted that the state has increased its investments in the sector through the support given by the Federal Government to his administration and has reduced poverty by creating more farm-related jobs.
Governor Sani stated this during the distribution of Presidential palliative relief material at the Umaru Yar’adua Conference Centre, noting that President Tinubu had intervened in the agriculture sector, bringing down poverty in the state and in the northern region of Nigeria.
“The poverty level in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, was hovering around 65% to 70%. However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made critical interventions in the last two years. We are not just talking about palliatives, we are talking about deep, structural support.
“No president has supported agriculture development like President Tinubu. We’ve received fertiliser support, funding for smallholder farmers, and billions in monetary support irrespective of party affiliations. These interventions have addressed infrastructure deficit, job creation, and poverty reduction.
“Without allowing local governments have autonomy, we cannot address poverty or employment in Nigeria. All 23 local government chairmen in Kaduna are here today. You are the real drivers of this initiative”, he noted.
Underscoring Kaduna State’s commitment to agriculture, the governor pointed out that the sector contributes about 43% to Nigeria’s GDP and employs around 60% of the workforce. Apart from fighting poverty through agriculture, Kaduna State intends to be Nigeria’s agricultural hub.
Sani said all tiers of government must support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s grassroots development plan, adding that complete local government autonomy is essential to winning the fight against unemployment and poverty.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, had earlier praised President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda and his commitment to implementing difficult but important reforms.
Source: BusinessDay
Image Credit: Daily Asset Online
