*This is an entirely Nigerian story, VP says
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday paid a visit to the sprawling farmland of ex-militant, Reston Tedheke in Ga’ate community, Kokona LGA of Nasarawa State.
The Vice President who was accompanied by the State governor, Abdullahi Sule described the project as an entirely Nigerian story, adding that, this is how great nations are built.
Mr. Retson who is the chairman of National Farmers Group and Cooperative Society Ga’ate, Nasarawa and an ex-militant, explained to the Vice President the origin of his vision for the over 3,000-member cooperative that supports over 500 farmers and 400 workers.
He said “It was when the Vice President visited us in the creeks and appealed to us to go into farming as it generates yields of up to three to five times of what you invest that we took to the land and we are doing well.
“We did it by being true Nigerians and developed it close to Abuja so anyone can see what we do. I’m originally from Delta state, now I live here and the Governor (of Nasarawa) is my Governor,” Mr Tedheke said in a rather emotional speech.
Mr Tedhke started the farm with N1.5m in 2017 and is now worth about a billion naira. He noted that he was inspired by the Buhari administration’s focus on agricultural diversification of the Nigerian economy.
READ: Story of an ex-militant: From the creeks to a billionaire farmer
He added that this is a story of national unity and integration, a Delta-born Niger-Deltan from Bayelsa state who relocated to the North Central and got a free land from the local community. He started with three hectares but has since acquired 2700 hectares more. As of today, he has 3000 hectares.
While receiving the Vice President on the farmland, accompanied by the State Governor Abdullahi Sule, he said “this is the happiest day of my life.” The farm has between 300 and 500 employees including people from different part of the country.”
The Vice President noted that going round the farm gave him great hope for Nigeria. “We are all very excited and hope this will grow,” he said.
He added that this is what the Nigerian spirit is all about. “An Edo State farm manager, on a farm coordinated by a Niger Delta man from Bayelsa in a Northern community,” he said.
“I am also excited about how this farm is financed through start ups raising the credit. What we are seeing is a revolution. This is the story of great nations,” he mused.
