By Mohammed Baba Busu
Prof. Mohammed Kuta-Yahaya, has called for a well-funded agricultural sector for increased productivity so as to tackle hunger and poverty in the society.
Kuta-Yahaya a former Secretary to Niger State Government (SSG) made the call while presenting a paper with the theme: ” Hunger to Anger : A Threat to Human Existence” during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Lavun Youth Congress held in Kutigi, Lavun local government headquarters of Niger State.
According to him, if the agricultural sector is well funded, it will tackle hunger in the society and also improve the standard of living of Nigerians as well as boost the nation’s development.
“We also recall one of the many catchy lines of the music legend, Bob Marley that “a hungry man is an angry man”. The manifestations of hunger are fury, indignation, rage, deep loathing often propelled by injury, injustice, oppression and violence among others.
“A well-funded agricultural sector in the continent will no doubt increase productivity with a capacity to provide adequately for the continent’s food and agricultural material requirements.
“We have better opportunities in various outlets to engender peace in our land. We must go back to the basic and address the fundamental and root causes of poverty, destitution and criminality.
“And monumental social and economic inequalities in our land to bring an end to the calamitous wanton destruction of lives and property of citizens.
“It is time to bridge the gap between rural and urban infrastructural opportunities, tame unabated rural-urban migration and strengthen people-centered development governance in line with the constitution rule of law and respect for citizens,” he averred
Kuta-Yahaya also said that the role of government in rejuvenating this sector cannot be overemphasized to human and societal development.
“Government is expected to place investment in agriculture top among its priority list to harness the nuggets hidden in the sector.
“It is, however, sad to intimate that available evidence in Africa points to continuous decline in the sector’s contribution to the GDP, to foreign exchange earnings and to food requirements for the growing African population.
“The situation in the sector has culminated in dire consequences among Africans. Nigerians’ faces on account of poverty will change for the better once the colossal capital allocation to agriculture is properly spent,” he said.
Former SSG also urged that all hands should be on deck in order to tackle hunger and poverty in the society.
He also called on the youths and other Nigerians to unite, live peacefully and tolerate one another irrespective of respective their affiliations for development to thrive.
“The motto of your congress “ United we stand” truly blooms my heart because it is the truth that we have continue to tell ourselves the truth and nothing but the truth.
“No society moves on the pedal of disunity and hatred for progress of others. We must, therefore, learn to work together as a team and always uphold the principle of togetherness for the overall development of our constituencies,” the professor added.
The Don, therefore, thanked the organisers of the event for and called for its sustenance.
He further called on the youths and other Nigerians to continue to pray for the unity, peace, progress and development of the country.
Kuta-Yahaya further appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari, the Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, and Mohammed Nami, The Executive Chairman, FIRS for their interventions in seeing to the inclusion of major roads to be constructed by the NNPC.
“The critical roads, which are major routes in Niger State to be constructed by the NNPC Tax relief funds of N621b include, dualization of Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa/Bokani Junction road section I: dualization of Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa/Bokani Junction road section II.
“Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Junction In Kwara/Niger States and dualization of Suleja-Minna road in Niger State.
Also in the zone are the dualization of Suleja-Minna road in Niger State Phase II, Reconstruction of Bida-Lambata road in Niger State, Agaie – Katcha – Baro road.
“Emergency repairs of failed section of Mokwa – Makera – Tegina – Kaduna State Border in Niger State, Minna – Zungeru – Tegina road and Bida – Minna road, the Kura-Yahaya said
Prof Kuta-Yahaya added that, I’m indebted to Gov. Sani Bello, for sustaining the legacy of rural road network we had put in place and executed it by 150% of original target.
“I’m proud of QS Hassan Baba Etsu for his spectacular performance that made Niger State RAMP outstanding in the nation. That is the spirit of mentorship per excellence and bigger and original Lavun at its best.