The Federal Government has secured a substantial $163 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to bolster wheat production in Nigeria.
During his visit to Argungu, Kebbi State to pay condolences to the family of the late Sheikh Abubakar Giro Argungu, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasised the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises to Nigerians and highlighted the significance of agriculture and food security as key areas of focus.
He revealed that plans were in place to plant two million jumbo cashew seedlings in affected states.
Furthermore, the Vice President detailed the upcoming launch of the wheat production scheme on 10th November, with a strong focus on Jigawa State, where 50,000 hectares of land would be cultivated to boost wheat production. In Kebbi, 10,000 hectares of land would also be allocated for the scheme.
“We have also obtained a 163 million dollar loan from the African Development Bank for wheat production.
“The scheme would be launched on 10th November.
“We need 10,000 hectares of land in Kebbi. But the scheme would be well executed in Jigawa State with a cultivation of 50, 000 hectares of land to boost wheat production”, he affirmed.
He also assured that the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu will fulfil all its promises made to Nigerians.
The Vice President, who visited the family of the late Islamic scholar on behalf of President Tinubu said: “This is a great loss to the state, nation and West Africa.
“I am here on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, who called me from India and directed that I should come to Argungu to commiserate with the family of the respected Sheikh, government and people of Kebbi State.
“Late Sheikh Abubakar Giro was a respected scholar. He worked for God, he didn’t bother about things of the world, and he lived a humble life.
“May God forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternity”.
At the palace of the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sumaila Mohammed Mera on the determination of the Tinubu administration to fulfill its promise, the Vice President disclosed that the agriculture and food security would receive serious attention from the government.
In his remarks, the Emir of Argungu, Sumaila Mohammed Mera said the entire emirate was proud of the achievements of the late Sheikh Giro.
He prayed for the unity and progress of Nigeria, and he also thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their support.
The National Leader of the Izala sect, Sheikh Bala Lau, who received the Vice President on behalf of the family in the company of other national executives of Izala, thanked President Tinubu and Shettima for their show of love.
Upon arrival in Kebbi, the Vice President was received at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Airport in Birnin Kebbi by the state governor, Dr Nasir Idris, who accompanied him on the visit.
Also in the Vice President’s entourage were the state Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Tafida; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari; and members of the state Executive Council among others.
Sheikh Giro, a renowned cleric, who died last Wednesday, has since been buried according to Islamic rites at his hometown in Argungu, Kebbi State.
