By Idris Bature, Lokoja.
HRM Dr. Saidu Akawu Salihu.
The Ohimege of Kotonkarfe.
A Traditional ruler in Kogi State, The Ohimegye Igu of Kotonkarfe,
His Royal Majesty, Dr. Saidu Akawu Salihu, has urged the federal government to embark on a deliberate policy that would encourage Nigerians go back to the farms to attain maximum food production and food security.
In an interview with our Correspondent at Kotonkarfe on Tuesday, the Paramount ruler,who is the President of Kogi/Lokoja traditional council, said the country’s greatness lies in the soil, noting that Nigeria haa arable, fertile land with good climate for bumper agricultural production.
HRM Salihu expressed concern over the dwindling fortune of oil sector in the global economy with the advent of modern technology which he observed “is fastly providing alternative sources of energy.”
” As our strength lies in the soil, government should strengthen agriculture, the country has arable and fertile land for the cultivation of agricultural produce,both for local consumption and export”, the paramount ruler further urged.
The royal father called on Nigerians to cooperate with the government to end insecurity scaring people away from the farms, adding that though the security agencies had been doing their best, “the assistant by the populace is necessary through provision of credible information.”
His Royal Majesty Salihu, commended the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for the quick intervention by providing palliatives to the vulnerable, affirming that the distribution of rice had reached the targeted beneficiaries in his Kingdom.
The Royal Father, who said the former Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, had done extremely well in the area of security in his domain, urged the incumbent, Ododo, to sustain and improve on the legacies beneath to him.
He, therefore,appealed to Nigerians to embark on fervent prayers to the God to intervene and avert the current hardship confronting the country .
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.