By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
A lawmaker, Hon Idris Ndako, on Monday in Kabawa, Lokoja 1 constituency, urged youths to return to farm as a way of addressing the nation’s food crisis.
Ndako, who represent Lokoja 11 Constituency and a large scale farmer, made the called while presenting Agricultural inputs/ insecticides to farmers, said he cultivated over 10 hectares of land to boost food production in Kogi State.
The law maker who is also the Chairman, house Committee on Government House administration, said he decided to embark on empowering the farmers outside his Lokoja 11 constituency to complement the Federal Government’s efforts in diversifying the economy.
He urged youths to go back to farm to become self reliant and fight poverty, unemployment and boost the socio-economic development of the two constituencies in particular and the state at large.
According to him, for kogi state and the country to achieve food sufficiency and overcome the present hardship, youths and other Nigerians must go back to farm.
“I want my people both from Lokoja 1 and 11 constituencies to know that farming is the only common activity one can do to sustain his living, that is why I am here to assist farmers outside my constituent and to encourage others to emulate.
According to the lawmaker; “no society can live comfortably without agriculture; agriculture is the major source of livelihood of every family, nation and its importance cannot be overemphasised to the development of any society.
“Apart from ensuring food security, farming also provides job opportunities boosts the revenue of the state and the country at large.
“If youths and other go back to farm, it will not only reduce over dependence on politicians and other elected officials but will also fight poverty, unemployment, youths restiveness and other social vices’’, he said.
Hon Ndako, however, appealed to the government to distribute fertilisers and other farm inputs to farmers to meet the requirements in tackling poverty and ensure food security in the state and the country at large.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with journalists,commended the lawmaker and promised to support him on his future endeavours.
A farmer, Malam Saidu Maikudi, expressed his gratitude to Hon Ndako for coming to their aids;”what we received today from the lawmaker would gear us to concentrate on our efforts to increase food production to alleviate the plights of our people”
“Let me use this medium to thank Hon Idris Ndako been the first lawmaker who we didn’t voted for, but on his own will decided to wipe away tears off our eyes, we remains eternally greatful, may Allah reward him” he said.
In his own remarks a chieftain of PDP, and onetime L.O.1, Hon Idris Lakwaja thanked Hon Ndako whom he described as patriotic representative and a good ambassador of people’s Democratic party, PDP in the Legislative chamber.
Items distributed include; 15 spray machines and over 500 insecticides.
The ceremony was attended by Hon Sule Dan Sarki former vice Chairman Lokoja Local Goverment, Hakimi of ward E, Alh Abdulkadie Nda Yaya, representatives of Sarkin Ruwa, PDP chieftains a across the two constituencies and a host of others.
