The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi has announced the Federal Government’s plans to recapitalise the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to improve food security by making food more accessible and affordable for Nigerians.
The minister shared this information while receiving the Emir of Borgu, Barr. Mohammed Sani Haliru and his entourage during a recent courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
Abdullahi emphasised that the government is reforming the Bank of Agriculture to better serve the needs of Nigerians. He stated, “We are recapitalising the Bank of Agriculture to make food accessible and affordable to Nigerians. We must continue to produce food for our citizens.”
He expressed gratitude to the Emir for his visit and prayers, wishing him success in his role. Abdullahi also assured that efforts were underway to intensify the development of various cluster farms in Borgu Kingdom, promising to represent the people of Borgu with integrity.
In his remarks, the Emir expressed support for the minister, stating that the visit was to show solidarity and offer prayers for his success. “We are here to show our support to the minister physically, so that all of you working with him will know that he has our prayers,” he said.
The Emir also thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing one of Borgu’s sons as Minister of Agriculture at a critical time, noting that “Agriculture has become very necessary in Nigeria.” He pointed out that Borgu has significant agricultural potential that, if tapped, could help feed the nation. “That is why the governor can confidently claim that Niger State can feed the nation, as Borgu contributes a substantial portion of the land needed for this purpose,” he added.
In a statement from the agency’s director of information, Mrs. Anthonia Eremah, Sani Haliru called on the minister to pay attention to Borgu’s agricultural potential. “We know there are economic challenges, but once we diversify and support agriculture, these challenges will be a thing of the past,” he stated.
Earlier, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, expressed his honour in being associated with the Emir of Borgu Kingdom. He assured the Emir that “the management of the ministry is extremely competent to support your son’s success. We have no other business here except to ensure that he succeeds,” he remarked. “As I always tell my management staff, when the ministers succeed, we have succeeded; when they fail, we have failed. I fully believe that they will not fail.”
