It's time to prioritize agriculture if Nigeria must survive - Sen Akobundu * Shares 2000 bags of fertilizer to farmers

Spread the love

It’s time to prioritize agriculture if Nigeria must survive – Sen Akobundu

* Shares 2000 bags of fertilizer to farmers

By Steve Oko

Former Defense Minister and the incumbent Senator representing Abia Central District, Col. Austin Akobundu (retd.), has said that time had come for the leadership of Nigeria to prioritize agriculture if the country must survive the current economic downturn, hunger and insecurity.

This is as he said that the solution to Nigeria’s economic and security challenges wound remain a mirage if the country’s elected and appointed leaders failed to provide impactful leadership that would meaningfully address the needs of their constituents.

Senator Akobundu who spoke while distributing 2000 bags of fertilizer to his constituents at Oloko Ikwuano, said time had come for Nigeria to go beyond lip services and consciously invest in agriculture.

He advocated a quick return to the agricultural revolution drive of the late Michael Okpara era when the defunct Old Eastern region prided as the world’s fastest-growing economy through palm, cocoa and rubber plantations.

The Peoples Democratic Party Senator charged his Legislative Coordinators and party leaders to ensure that the fertilizers get to the women and other genuine farmers in their Council.

Senator Akobundu urged beneficiaries of the gesture to reciprocate by engaging in massive farming activities, promising to leverage on his privileged position to attract more federal assistance to them.

The Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs who noted that Ikwuano is a reputable agrarian community challenged youths to engage in mechanized farming, promising further assistance for them.

The former Minister who enumerated his various achievements and efforts to better the lives of his constituents, said his scorecard remained his answer to blackmailers.

Some of the projects he said he had executed since his inauguration as Senator in November 15, 2023 include: provision of fully- paid three-year scholarship/sponsorship of 113 NTI students; and scholarship for indigent students in tertiary institutions under his foundation.

Others include: ICT training for 1,000 youths from the district, training of select youths on tailoring and agric ventures; and provision of sewing machines including start-up grants to them.

He warned detractors “whose stock in trade is to attack and insult those serving their people diligently to desist from their despicable acts “.

Senator Akobundu challenged “political actors” he alleged, were castigating him to provide evidence of their own achievements.

He hinted that contractors would soon start work on various sites of his planned Skill Acquisition Centres in each of the six Local Government Areas in the district.

Senator Akobundu who declared that his priority was to remain focused on delivering quality representation and service to his constituents, said anyone claiming that he is not visible in the district should be properly examined.

He said:“I’ll continue to render impactful service and programmes to my people no matter the unwarranted attacks by people like Ginger Onwusibe, who, despite all the good things I have done for him politically, has remained ungrateful and resentful and not failed to insult me in any political gathering he finds himself in.

Speaking earlier, Senior Special Assistant to the Senator on Agriculture, Elder Henry Nwoha, thanked Akobundu for his agricultural revolution which he said, was akin to that of late Dr Okpara.

PDP Chairman for Osisioma Ngwa LGA, Sir Ihezuoke Ufomba, and Lady Eziaku Alaribe, among others, in their respective remarks thanked Akobundu for his efforts to attract development to the district, and for promoting agriculture.

They charged beneficiaries of the fertilizer to justify the gesture by engaging in more farming activities.

Share on Facebook

Save

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.