North’s blockade of food, lesson to Southwest — Gani Adams

Owing to the recent restriction of the supply of foodstuffs and cattle to the south from the north by the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs and cattle Dealers of Nigeria, Iba Gani Adams, Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called on the six governors of South West states to allocate at least 15 percent of their budget on agriculture.

The Yoruba leader who expressed disgust at the action of the north, said the blockade was a clarion call for the South West to see need for huge investment in ensuring food security in the region.

Speaking with newsmen on Friday on the recent protest of the Amalgamated Food Sellers in the northern part, Adams of the explained that the six South West governors can employ expertise with Rwanda model into agricultural sector

He said investment in agriculture will provide employment, enhance Internal Generated Revenue (IGR), provide food security, reduce urban congestion and enlarge the coast for participatory modernised agriculture

Also, he explained that the southwest consumed more than 8 billion naira foods and protein daily and for the northern traders to stage a protest was a clarion call to the South West Stakeholders, including security groups to provide the necessary security for farmers in order to produce enough agricultural produce.

“It is embarrassing for the North to threaten our region with an unwarranted blockade that is of no use to us. I have it on good record that the South spends over 8 billion naira daily on cow consumption. It is an embarrassment for the North to think that they are doing the South a favour. I also have figures of the several billions we spend daily on perishable products, but the truth is that the blockade that had been suspended now seemed to be a blessing for us because it will trigger an agricultural revolution in the South West that will definitely change the ugly narratives of the past.

“So, I think it is the responsibility of all the South West governors to swiftly respond to this threat and seek a better approach to enhance both small and large scale farming across the region and further strengthen the security architecture of the region, ” he stated.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, in his view, said the southwest region can conveniently feed itself without dependence on any other region, adding that there is urgent need to go back to the farm. (Independent)