From: Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin-Kebbi
Chairman of All Progressive Congress(APC) Governors Forum, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has commended the Kebbi State Government for reviving agriculture in Nigeria, describing the state as the most peaceful in the country.
Okorocha stated this during theAPC Governor’s Forum courtesy visit to the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Illiasu Mohammed Bashar, in his palace Birnin-Kebbi, on Monday.
Some of the Forum members also visited Rice Mills factories in the state and rice plantation as part of their two-day meeting in the state.
Speaking at the emir’s palace, Okorochas said: “‘ Kebbi State has track record of being a peaceful State since its creation ”.
He commended people of the state and Governor Bagudu’s government in reviving Agricultural production in the country most particularly rice and wheat farming. He stressed that the state has brought out Nigeria’s name to the eyes of the world in the field of rice production in the country.
He further said that the governors were in Kebbi State to held the APC Governors meeting which kicks off on Tuesday, aiming to discuss major challenges that the country is faced with and to assist the Federal Government in making good policies that has direct positive impacts on the lives of Nigerians.
He described Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu as the best member of the APC Governors Forum for his initiative to revive country’s economy through agriculture.
Okorocha also pleaded with the people of the state to continue to support Governor Bagudu’s administration in order to drive more dividends of democracy.
Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Illiasu Muhammadu Bashar, in his reaction, said that Governor Bagudu always consulted traditional rulers before he made approval on any policy that would affect the lives of people.
He said that Kebbi State Government has cordial relationship with all emirates across the state and thanked the governors for the visit. The emir also urged them to continue to implement policies that will benefit entire country.
At their visit to Rice Mills factories and plantation in the state, Kwara State Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira, and his counterpart in Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba, recommended diversification of nation economy through agriculture.
Speaking with Journalists after inspected State Rice Plantation and Labana Rice Mills, Elder Kisira commended the agriculture initiative of Kebbi State Government saying, “such effort is needed as a way to diversify the Nation`s economy from oil”.
He called on other states in the country to key into the initiative stressing that Kwara State was also making wave with great agricultural drive.
Kisira commended the Kebbi State Government on its relationship with Lagos Stat to produce LAKE Rice stressed the determination of the Kwara State government to partner with Kebbi especially in making rice available for the people.
Also speaking, Achuba described the effort as a drive in the right direction noting that agriculture was the alternative to diversify the economy.
Achuba urged the Kebbi State Government to establish a modern technical workshop to encourage and develop the interest of the coming generation.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Col. Samaila Dabai (rtd) who conducted them round the farm and the Rice Mills reiterated the determination of the state government to improve its agricultural drive and other sectors.
