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| Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq |
According to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Nigeria may easily escape the grip of poverty by making wise investments in safety net programmes and food security that put money right into the hands of the poor.
At a meeting with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), chaired by Mr. Javed Khan, that took place at the Government House in Ilorin, Mr. AbdulRasaq made this statement.
The Kwara governor urged coordinated investments in social investment programmes that focus on the most disadvantaged populations and agricultural value chains.
He claims that the Kwara government has kept up its social safety programs, such as "Owo Arugbo" and "Owo Isowo," which help bring people out of poverty and assist small enterprises.
The governor stated that everything needed to be done to expand the agricultural value chains and pointed to the National Programme for Food Security.
“Kwara, Kebbi, Kano and Ekiti have been identified to benefit in the first phase of the programme, which is funded by the IsDB. The global problem created by COVID-19 is still subsisting,” he explained. “We have a huge problem globally, not just in Nigeria, which has affected food security throughout the world.”
Mr AbdulRazaq added, “Africa and indeed Nigeria, is ready to feed the world. We have the land and everything to achieve that. But we have to be organised.”
The Kwara governor further noted that such a programme would put Nigerians on the right footing to feed the world in every aspect. He commended the IsDB for sending a team to Kwara to ensure they have a hands-on approach to the programme.
“Our 10-year Agriculture Transformation Plan shows the seriousness our administration attaches to agriculture and its value chains. The future for us is agriculture and agro-processing. That is where we have comparative advantages,” the Kwara governor explained.
(NAN)