Prof. Babagana Zulum, the executive governor of Borno State, stated on Monday that the current palliative measures rolled out by President Bola Tinubu to state governors will not solve the problem of food insecurity or other challenges in the country.
Zulum made the remark during the assumption of office by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari and Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, respectively.
According to Zulum, “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 and 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 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 done quickly, we will never get rid of these problems.
“Therefore, it is my sincere hope that the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, and indeed the technocrats that are here will put heads together with a view to repositioning the nation’s industry.”
He also stated that, given Nigeria’s enormous arable land and ample water bodies, he would want to see the Ministry take on the task of ensuring food security, including food availability in terms of quantity and quality.
