We will make North agricultural headquarters of Sub-Saharan Africa -Tinubu

From: Femi  Oyelola, Kaduna

The presidential candidate  of All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju  Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to restore the lost glory of the north, by making it the Agricultural  Headquarters of  sub-Sahara Africa which will lead to springing up of industries in the  region.

He stated this during an interactive session organized by the joint Arewa   Committee  in Kaduna, yesterday.

The APC candidate explained that experience in the last seven years has shown the potentials of agriculture in solving the problem of unemployment and boosting  GDP.

He stressed that, recent investment in the rice value chain has led to the springing up of rice mills across the country with the attendant wealth creation and a reduction in  import bill.

“ The North has a greater advantage in this regard due to its large and abundant arable land. My vision is for the region to be the hub of agribusiness  sub-Saharan Africa.

“We will improve investment in our livestock value chain. Specifically, subsectors like the dairy industry that has the potential of adding billions of dollars into our economy will receive significant attention.

“In collaboration with the private sector and governments at sub-national levels, we will make available high yield seeds and inputs, invest heavily in post-harvest storage and processing facilities so that we can significantly increase the value of what we produce.

“To ensure optimizing the full value of their produce, we will utilize Commodity Exchanges to guarantee return on investments, and enhanced wealth for the farmers.

“We will make available funds for research and development to provide the right inputs that will ensure greater yields, and tackle climatic challenges bedevilling farmers such as flooding and desertification through the enhancement of national drainage architecture and investment in shelter belts. 

“Financing is critical to our vision for the agricultural sector. I assure you; I will attract the much-needed investment and re-engineer financing institutions to provide impactful interventions for maximal output. “ he  said

Asiwaju further said  security is a function of resources and he is committed to mobilizing all assets within the national power to Secure Nigeria.

“We did this in Lagos through many initiatives, especially the Security Trust Fund, through which we addressed many needs of our security forces which helped to sanitize Lagos State.

“ When I assumed office as governor in 1999, the situation I met was basically a case of banditry where urban gangs ruled the streets. 

“ I returned law and order, tamed what could have been a huge ethnic war and made Lagos one of the safest states in Nigeria. I will replicate that across the country.”