The Niger state governor, Umar Bago, on Sunday, December 31, said his state has secured more than 100 hectares of land in the state, which would be prepared for agriculture uses.
Governor Bago spoke to journalists in Lagos after meeting President Bola Tinubu at his residence, saying he met him to pay Christmas homage to and commiserate with him over the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, last week.
Speaking on the priority placed on agriculture in the 2024 Budget, the governor said he hope to have gotten not less than 250,000 hectares of the total expanse ready for cultivation before the start of the rainy season.
“Yes, definitely food security is a priority in this government and we have just told the President that we are very, very much ready in 2024 From January 1 to hit the ground running.
“We have secured over a million hectares of land. I will start preparing this land and I’m sure before the next rainy season, I would have over 250,000 hectares prepared and I will also inform him about the irrigation investment we have put in irrigation.
“In Niger State we’re very ready to do as a leading state in rice paddy want to improve the rice production and cotton production. We’re also very, very ready for that.
“We’re also very prepared to do a lot of maize, you know, because the demand for maize by especially poultry farmers is high and so many other initiatives that we brought forward.
“You know, Niger state is also a leading state in production of sesame’s, which you know very well, and we’ve told Mr. President, exactly what we’re about to do.”
Speaking on the massacre in Plateau State, Bago described it as very unfortunate, noting there is a need for states in the North-central, which have all had their share of a similar experience, to meet and discuss on situation.
“Yeah, it’s quite unfortunate, you know. Niger, state and other states in north central have also been victims of this kind of carnage. What happened in Plateau is very unfortunate. And we are hoping that it does not repeat itself.
“We have just decided on Tuesday, we’ll go and pay a condolence visit to commiserate with the people of Plateau state on this issue. Other issues are not issues for camera. There are strategic issues that we must discuss on them.
“But the most important is that we need to start discussion. When we start talking to each other as a people you know, we need to discuss so we need to bring out people, voices to be heard. You know, a lot of these issues are just centric.”