By Mohammed Baba Busu
In an effort to ensure food security and sufficiency, a delegation from Niger, led by the Special Adviser on Social Investment Programme, Hauwa Bako, has visited Soilless Farm Labs in Ogun.
The visit was to ensure the successful implementation of its agricultural policies in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullberqy Usman, on his social media page,
stated that a team of Commissioners and Special Advisers from the state government was in Ogun over the weekend.
According to Usman, the visit was part of the strategies of the state to become one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs, exploring innovative practices such as soilless farming to achieve the planned goal.
He maintained that during the visit, the team inspected the state-of-the-art facilities, met with training participants, and held productive discussions with partners involved in the Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture through Technology-enabled Vegetable Production (EYIA) Project.
The team also paid a courtesy visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta.
Speaking, Obasanjo applauded Gov. Umar Bago for his agricultural revolution policy to ensure.that food security was achieved in the country.
He said, “Until Nigeria begins to feed itself, the challenges facing the country will continue.
” A nation that cannot feed itself is sitting on a timely bomb.”
Obasanjo reiterated the crucial role of agricultural transformation for self- sufficiency in Nigeria.
He, then, advised other state Governors to emulate Niger’s pioneering and leading role in agricultural development to ensure the country is able to feed its population, thereby exporting food to boost its GDP
The former president also encouraged Niger Government to sustain its current investment in agriculture.
The delegation included the Commissioners of Agriculture, Environment, Power and Energy, and MSMEs.
Others were Special Advisers on Social Investment Programme, Environment and Climate Change as well as the Print Media.