By: Gbenga Akingbule
Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Wednesday revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari is happy with the ongoing agricultural revolution in Borno State where the state government has cultivated over 30,000-hectares of rice farm to make food available for the people.
Gatekeepers News reports that Bagudu was quick to attribute the success story of the rice revolution in the state to the doggedness and courage of the state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum who had been attacked on different occasions by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists when he visited Nothern Borno where some of the rice farms are located.
The Kebbi State Governor made the disclosure when he alongside his Borno State counterpart visited Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local government Area where they took a tour of 3,000-hectares of rice farm.
The Governor whose stewardship in Kebbi State has immensely improved rice production express delight in the deliberate step his Borno counterpart is taking to boost rice production in the state.
“Let me say how honoured I am to be standing here in Damasak to support my brother. When he told us the big story, I asked him, ‘can you take me along with you (to Damasak)?’ We always celebrate him (Zulum) and appreciate what he is doing for Borno State and entire Nigeria.
“His doggedness and courage are why I joined him in coming to see this (farm in Damasak), among other efforts that he is doing in returning normalcy to Borno State and indeed normalcy to Nigeria”, Bagudu said.
“I told Mr President about Borno’s rice farm which he noted. Mr President was so happy with the news”. Bagudu said while addressing farmers in Damasak, a former stronghold of Boko Haram but was liberated by the Nigeria Military
While responding to his guest, Governor Zulum explained that over 30,000 hectares have so far been cultivated across the state.
He cited the reactivation of irrigation farming programmes around lake Alau, Baga, Nguro Soye in Bama and some liberated communities across the local government areas.
Zulum said the activation of irrigation activities has increased Borno’s local sourcing of vegetables rather than having to bring from other parts of the country.
