By Juliet Aliwo’s
The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly has publicly challenged Vice President Kashim Shettimah’s assertion that Nasarawa State is the “agricultural powerhouse of the nation.” In a statement signed by spokesperson Ibrahim Dan-Musa and obtained by OBSERVERS TIMES, the group contended that Nasarawa lags significantly in agricultural development compared to Niger State, which has made remarkable strides in this sector.
The group emphasized that credit should be given where it is due, highlighting Niger State’s recent achievements under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. They pointed out that the Niger State Government has secured a ₦2.5 billion agreement with the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) for the cultivation of rice, soybeans, maize, and sesame. Additionally, the state has allocated 1.2 million hectares of land for agricultural use, while the Federal Government has secured a $2.5 billion livestock investment with Brazilian multinational JBS, one of the world’s largest meat processing companies.
The group praised the agricultural revolution in Niger State, noting a significant investment of over ₦1.094 trillion from a Chinese firm in the newly established Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Minna, the state capital. They described the Vice President’s remarks as an embarrassment and called for a retraction, asserting that the governor of Nasarawa State does not deserve such commendation.
NEYGA emphasized the Niger state commitment to agricultural mechanization, stating, “the state have invested heavily in mechanization to increase productivity and reduce reliance on manual labor.” States that a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Turkish Direkci Group to establish a large-scale poultry farm capable of producing 500,000 chickens, along with the development of feedlots and slaughter centers for livestock.
These initiatives, aim not only to meet local food demands but also to generate export opportunities. The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly further highlighted Niger State’s collaborations with companies from Turkey, China, and the United States, contrasting this with the lack of similar initiatives in Nasarawa State. They criticized the absence of agricultural advancements in Nasarawa, particularly during the dry season.
OBSERVERS TIMES earlier reported that the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima expressed satisfaction with the performance of Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule especially in the area of food production, noting that the Governor has fulfilled his promises to the people of the state.
He said that Governor Abdullahi Sule has completely turned Nasarawa State to an agricultural powerhouse of the Nation.
The vice president stated this yesterday in Lafia on a one-day working visit to the state to flagged off the distribution of tractors and Jangwa Paddy rice to all 13 local government areas of the state, as well as sharing of relief items to victims of 2024 flood disaster at government House.
He said that Nasarawa State has taken position to feed the nation; adding that the federal government would continuing to support Nasarawa State in its quest to proffers solution to food crisis in Nigeria, the statement that attracted the reaction of the NEYGA .
In conclusion, the group firmly believes that Niger State rightfully holds the title of Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse, and they urge for recognition of its achievements in the sector.
