From TCNEWS
Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria, FFDGN has advocated for an overhaul of the agricultural sector.
The Forum also urged the government to revamp the Bank of Agriculture and adopt modern farming technologies, including high-yield seeds, improved equipment, and secure agricultural hubs.
This was highlighted in a communique jointly signed by Dr. Chris Akomas, National Chairman; Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, Deputy National Chairman (North); and Hazeem Gbolarumi, Deputy National Chairman (South), at the close of the forum’s third national conference held in Abuja under the theme, “Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security, and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria.”
The Forum which also called on the government to encourage youth entrepreneurship skills through Agricultural extension centers and demonstration farms, also pointed out the urgent need to strengthen Agricultural institutions and linkages with relevant research centers.
While espousing and expounding the essence of agricultural hub and the urgent need for the government to create Agricultural hubs and ensure adequate security for the hubs with community vigilante groups complementing the National security, the Forum called on the Federal Government to strive to depoliticize Agriculture in the country by prioritizing community data bank of genuine farmers in all support programs.
The forum encouraged government to introduce modern technology in agriculture, including equipment, high yield seeds and seedlings to boost food production.
The communique, which also called for the revamping of the Bank of Agriculture, to live up to its responsibilities, posited that entrenching good governance in the country is imperative for achieving food security and sustainable growth in Nigeria as the central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
In his closing remarks the Convener of the 3rd National Conference of Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria, Comrade Chris Akomas, lauded the participants as well as the resource persons for their presentations which he acknowledged to be rich and innovative saying they have made very serious inputs, contributions, and key suggestions, which will be impactful as well as will change and turn things around.
He reiterated the preparedness of Forum members to make useful suggestions and inputs towards achieving a country whose citizens are comfortable in their country, because of good governance they experience even as he had insisted that achieving a country of our collective dreams, requires the collective effort of all, pointing out that this is what is meant by nation building.
A total of five papers were presented in the 2-day programme which include, The Renewed Hope Agenda: Prospects and Challenges by Alhaji Isa Ozi Salami; Stabilizing the Economy: Policies for Sustainable Growth and Development by Prof. Uche Uwaleke; Incumbent and Predecessor: Completing Projects and sharing ideas by Dr. Afolabi Olowookere; Ensuring Food Security: Taming the Challenges and Exploring Innovative approaches to Agriculture by Prof. Nuhu Gworgwor, as well as Project Sustainability and Completion as a Panacea for Effective Development by Prof. Habu Mohammed.