BREAKING NEWS
Buhari Admits He Has Failed, Says Nigeria Has Been In Trouble Since He Came On Board
President
Muhammadu Buhari on Monday admitted that Nigeria has been turbulent since he
came on board in 2015.
The president
made this comment while inaugurating the Food Security Council chaired by him.
At the
inauguration, the president spoke about Nigeria’s “very turbulent” journey in
the past three years, the period of his administration.
Read the full
speech below.
“Two weeks ago, I
announced my intention to establish and chair a presidential level committee
that focuses on food security, I am happy that today it has become a reality.
“Nigeria’s
journey in the last three (3) years, has been a very turbulent one. The
country’s need for critical job creating sectors which has been ignored for
decades is now beginning to yield results.
“We introduced
the National Social Investment Programmes targeting millions of Nigerians who
are living from hand to mouth.
“We launched
agricultural programmes focusing on import substitution, job creation and rural
development thereby bringing socio-economic transformation to the millions of
citizens living in some of the most remote rural parts of our country.
“We commenced the
long term Pollution Remediation Projects in the Niger Delta with the hope of
restoring dignity and normalcy to the millions of Nigerians impacted by decades
of pollution in their communities. Fishing and farming will resume once
blighted areas are rehabilitated.
“We intensified
our participation in the Lake Chad Basin Commission with the goal of reversing
the shrinkage of the lake, which impacts the livelihoods of over 45 million
farmers, herdsmen and fishermen in the LCBC countries.
“We issued the
first ever green bond that will act as a catalyst for investments in renewable
energy and afforestation projects. This was oversubscribed, sharing market
confidence in the country and our government.
“We established
the Agro Rangers Unit within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to
protect the billions of naira of investments recorded in Nigeria’s agricultural
sector across the country.
“We continued to
equip the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency
to fight maritime criminals such as pirates and sea robbers who adversely
impact offshore and inland fishing activities in our waters.
“These programmes
and many more, have started yielding results and if sustained, will transform
the lives of millions of Nigerians across the country.
“We are well
aware that the full results will not be felt or seen overnight. The journey is
long. It is therefore our collective duty to ensure the actual and potential
positive impacts of these programmes are sustained, improved and expanded.
“A key mandate of
the Food Security Council is to continuously assess and enhance these infant,
but impactful programmes, thereby guaranteeing they achieve their full
potential.
“We shall also
develop new programmes and projects that will protect and indeed, create more
jobs in farming, fisheries, animal husbandry and forestry.
“As we all know,
land is use for farming, grazing and forestry, Water is used for irrigation,
livestock sustenance and fishing. Therefore, any strategy for land and water
management must take into account the interconnectivity of all these key
sectors to ensure equity and sustainability.
“We will also not
lose sight of the other issues that will impact our food production ambitions
such as; Population growth, Urbanisation, IndustrialisationRural Infrastructure
Development andClimate Change.
“These factors
will also stress and stretch our land and water resources. This means we must
invest in research and development to enhance yields and outputs.
“Moreover, we are
not insulated from Global and Regional events. Accordingly we develop local
programs, but not lose sight of events from a far and their impact on us.
Specifically, issues such as smuggling and dumping, which is our responsibility
to ensure we develop and enforce strategies to protect Nigeria from these
illegal and unhealthy imports.
“The Council
includes Governors representing the six (6) geopolitical zones. Some
geopolitical zones have similar Eco climatic conditions. The council is
therefore a platform to further enhance the collaboration between the federal
and state governments. We shall share success stories and collaborate to
address common threats.
“We will also
engage key stakeholders representing the core sectors of the Food Value Chain.
Regular consultations will be held with investors, development partners,
financiers, academia and our friends and allies abroad.
“ Our
deliberations will look into all the issues and our decisions will be implementable
and impactful. We shall stay focused, first and foremost on securing our food
requirements and employment for our people, especially the youth. We shall feed
ourselves and build an inclusive Nigeria for ourselves and for future
generations.”
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