Former Deputy Governors Urge Tinubu To Depoliticize Agriculture

[Ikenna Ngere]

Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria have urged President Bola Tinubu‘s administration to focus on depoliticizing agriculture in the country by establishing a comprehensive community data bank of authentic farmers for all support initiatives.​

This recommendation emerged from a 16-point communiqué released after the forum’s 3rd National Conference, themed “Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security, and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria,” held at the Abuja Continental Hotel earlier this week.

Signed by prominent members, including Mukhtar Shehu Shagari (Deputy National Chairman, North), Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi (Deputy National Chairman, South), and Comrade Chris Alozie Akomas (National Chairman), the communiqué emphasized the necessity of creating agricultural hubs protected by adequate security, supplemented by local vigilante groups.

The forum also advocated for the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, such as advanced equipment and high-yield seeds, to enhance food production.

Additionally, they called for a revitalization of the Bank of Agriculture to ensure it fulfills its mandate effectively.

Recognizing the critical need for strengthening agricultural institutions and fostering connections with research centers, the former deputy governors urged the promotion of youth entrepreneurship through agricultural extension services and demonstration farms.

They underscored that good governance is essential for achieving food security and sustainable development in alignment with the current Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The communiqué further encouraged state governors to foster cooperative relationships with their deputies to enhance democratic governance across Nigeria.

It also called for inclusive consultations regarding economic policies with institutions like the IMF and World Bank, urging transparency in the allocation of funds from external borrowings by both the federal and state governments.

These funds, according to them, should be directed towards productive initiatives and infrastructure that positively affect citizens’ living standards.

Moreover, the communiqué stressed the importance of enacting laws to ensure that ongoing projects are completed before new ones are initiated.

“Governors are encouraged to ensure a harmonious relationship with their deputies to promote sustainable democratic governance in Nigeria.

“Entrenching good governance is an imperative for achieving food security and sustainable growth in Nigeria as the central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Consultation for economic policy by the IMF and the World Bank should be open and inclusive of all major Stakeholders in Nigeria.

“Every effort should be made to ensure that funds from external borrowings by the Federal Government and sub-national Governments should be judiciously applied to productive activities and public infrastructure development with impact on citizens’ standard of living.

“As a matter of policy, the Federal Government should enact laws at Federal and state levels that will compel successive governments to complete subsisting projects as they embark on new ones,” the communique partly read

In his concluding remarks, Comrade Chris Akomas reiterated the forum’s commitment to contributing constructive suggestions for building a Nigeria where citizens can thrive due to good governance.

He emphasized that realizing the collective aspirations for the nation requires a unified effort from all stakeholders, a concept fundamental to nation-building.

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