FG committed to boosting food security, halting land grabbing – Foreign Minister

By Ochiaka Ugwu

President Bola Tinubu was committed to safeguarding land rights to boost agricultural productivity with the aim of combating food insecurity through rural empowerment, science-driven farming, and climate-resilient infrastructure, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has said.

Tuggar who made this known during a community engagement in the historic agrarian town of Udobo, Gamawa, Bauchi State assured farmers and pastoralists of Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding land rights while boosting agricultural productivity.

In a statement released Sunday in Abuja, signed by Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim Abdulkadir, it noted that, “Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Sunday assured farmers and pastoralists in Udobo, Gamawa , Bauchi State, of the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding land rights while boosting agricultural productivity.

“During a community engagement in the historic agrarian town, he outlined President Bola Tinubu’s plans to combat food insecurity through rural empowerment, science-driven farming, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

“Ambassador Tuggar praised the community’s enduring potential, stating, “This land fed nations. We aim to revive that legacy without displacing those who till it.”

“Tuggar detailed President Tinubu’s strategy for Udobo and similar communities by promising to protect the farmers’ lands.

“No one will lose their land. Grow what you eat first; we’ll help you sell the surplus,” Tuggar pledged.

“The Minister also added that the Federal Government with support from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) will optimize water access via Udobo’s fadama wetlands and introduce climate-smart tools that help optimize agricultural output and further impact the lives of the community.

“The Minister also detailed the various measures he took as the Minister of Foreign Affairs to assist the victims of last year’s flood that devasted a lot of communities in the local government which included the Udubo community.

 “Following devastating floods, ECOWAS—secured through Tuggar’s diplomatic efforts—and federal agencies will fund resilient infrastructure” the statement read in part.

However, beneficiaries of the support thanked Ambassador Tuggar for not abandoning them when they needed succour.