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To ensure efficient food security and economic development in Nigeria, a monarch has charged Nigerians to invest in sustainable agribusiness ventures.
Haliru Ndanusa Yahaya, emir of Shonga, made the charge in a paper entitled: ‘Harnessing the Potential of Traditional Institutions for Integrated Agricultural and Rural Development in Nigeria’ delivered at a seminar organized by Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI).
“Agricultural provides the foundation for economic growth and development in several countries around the world. The Obas, Emirs and Chiefs in Nigeria can exploit the same potential by empowering their farmers and youths, by so doing, the wealth that will be generated will drastically reduce rural poverty and we will attain the growth we looking for,” Yahaya said.
“Right now, we have think-tanks in traditional institutions; hence they have to be well utilised for greater opportunities. Now we have generals, lawyers, engineers, doctors, ambassadors among others as traditional rulers who can be consulted by the government if it knows what it wants to do,” he said.
The keynote speaker expressed dismay over incessant killings owing to disputes between farmers and herdsmen, urging the government to constantly engage the various parties through dialogue.
“Human intelligence is what is failing us in this country, Boko Haram can hide here, but you do not know he is there. Therefore, we need surveillance and regular dialogue. Our attitudes must change if we must get it right and succeed in this country, because we are still not there,” he added.
“When abroad, we are different human beings, but here we are different. We are known for the best and highest of something bad or lowest and the least of something good. We should change that narrative and our attitude is what we have to change.”
In his opening remarks, Danatuz Nwampa, the chairman, ARMTI Board of Governors described the theme as a timely consideration at this present time in the country.
“This is the time for us to consolidate and strengthen and fully utilise our traditional institutions and realise that the traditional rulers hold the potentials to unlock the solution to the major problems confronting us today as they are closer to the grass roots.
“We find problems and needs in the agriculture and rural sector and seek to make interventions to mitigate and show a way forward for the nation in that regard.
“We also identified experts and relevant stakeholders to brainstorm and engage on issues towards providing a workable solution for this nation,” Nwampa said.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
