On Monday, Professor Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, expressed his belief that the current palliative measures introduced by President Bola Tinubu are insufficient to address the issue of food insecurity and other challenges. Zulum conveyed this viewpoint during the swearing-in ceremony of Senator Abubakar Kyari as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, along with Senator Aliyu Abdullahi as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.
Zulum further emphasized that the available measures would not effectively tackle the problem of food insecurity. He pointed out that Nigeria possesses extensive arable land and abundant water resources.
He said: “It is clear that palliatives will never solve our problems because these are shorter-term solutions, we must look for medium and longer-term solutions that would address insecurity, food insecurity in Nigeria.
“Therefore, the only alternative we have is to invest in commercial agriculture, modern agriculture, irrigated agriculture, green technology, emerging technology, harvesting rainwater, and among others.
“That is the only solution. Our population is growing in a quick geometric direction while our food supply is dwindling, and unless something is quickly done we will never get rid of these problems.
“Therefore, it is my sincere hope that the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security and indeed the technocrats that are here to put heads together with a view of repositioning the nation’s industry.”
Given these resources, he expressed his desire to witness the Ministry taking proactive steps to ensure food security, encompassing both the quantity and quality of available food.
