Okpebholo: The President Said, “We Must Farm”
By John Mayaki
His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has revealed details of his discussion with President Bola Tinubu. And the good news is that the president has given his full backing to the governor’s plans to achieve food surplus in the state and even explore export opportunities to boost the state’s revenue.
The governor disclosed that President Tinubu encouraged him to go to any length to industrialize Edo State and make food affordable for its citizens. “The journey to achieving this has already commenced,” Governor Okpebholo assured.
According to the governor, “We have started walking the talk. The president said we must farm, so we have started with access roads because, without roads, you can’t get anywhere. We must feed our country, we must feed our community, and we must feed other parts of Africa. And we have started.”
When I stumbled upon the video where the governor made these remarks yesterday, I told myself that the best thing to do as a citizen was to encourage others to tap into this farming initiative and join the value chain. For me, this calls for immediate action from all citizens.
With government intervention in food production, especially with the president’s backing, all we need to do is support the governor in making this vision a reality. This initiative will reduce poverty, empower citizens, ensure food security, and set the stage for long-term agricultural transformation.
I think we need to commend both the President and the Governor for their proactive approach to the crisis of food security and agricultural development in Edo State. For me, this is not only inspiring, this is leadership at its best – teaching the people how to fish rather then sharing rice for them.
This is a forward thinking strategy and it’s a bold one at that. Mr. Governor, we support you and your administration wholeheartedly in this noble journey of operation feed Edo people and beyond.
Mayaki is a farmer and President of Nigeria-Agro Cooperative Society (NACS).