Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State on Friday in Kasarawa village, Wamakko local government of Sokoto State, launched the distribution to farmers 1,000 tiller machines purchased by the state government.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Amaechi began a two-day official visit to Sokoto State on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, he said that the only plausible solution to most of the problems of Nigeria was “heavy” investment in agriculture.
” It creates employment for skilled workers, hence makes them to be engaged productively.”
He appealed to the beneficiaries to utilise the machines properly, to boost food production and food security.
Amaechi further urged that leaders desist from dividing Nigerians using religion.
The governor advocated the reduction of the existing wide gap between the rich and the poor in Nigeria.
” This is absolutely necessary to ensure even socio-economic development, unity, peace and prosperity,” he added.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said that the machines would empower farmers and enhance their productivity.
” Most of the rural dwellers in the state and Nigeria in general, are farmers and they need to be assisted with such tools.
“Farmers should be further encouraged and assisted to keep on producing food for the nation and for export.
” A hungry man is an angry man and most of the violence and insecurity in Nigeria is due to hunger,” Abubakar said.
The sultan thanked Amaechi for the visit, which he said would strengthen the bonds of peace, unity and understanding among Nigerians.
Gov. Aliyu Wamakko, in his speech, maintained that agriculture is the occupation of over 90 per cent of the people of the state and Nigeria in general.
” The gesture is to encourage the people to farm and live happy as well as be peaceful.
” The economy of the nation should be diversified to avoid the unpalatable consequences of total dependence on oil revenue.”
He further underscored the importance of food to mankind, saying: “With food all other sundry needs can follow.”
The Agriculture Commissioner, Alhaji Arzika Tureta said that the tiller machines were aimed at mechanising the agricultural sector in the state.
