Press Release: Kebbi NLC lauds Bagudu's agric. initiatives, expresses interest to key in

The Kebbi State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has lauded the agricultural initiatives and efforts of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council, for Nigerian workers to benefit from agricultural loans.

The Council has also expressed its willingness to partner with the government,to actualize the objective and facilitate food security in the country.

The commendation was made by the Kebbi State Chairman of NLC,
Comrade Hassan Umar Halidu, shortly after having Ramadan breakfast (iftar),with the Governor and leaders of other unions, on Saturday 1/5/ 2021 at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

Comrade Hassan said that, the gesture of the Governor would in no small measure promote food security, as envisaged by President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as support the families of workers, even after retirement.

'I have also told our NEC meeting in Abuja what you have started in Kebbi, that civil servants are part and parcel of your program, they are benefitting from Anchor Borrowers Program.

" We appreciate this kind gesture you have shown as the Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council in the country , we want you to make sure that, civil servants of Kebbi State become number one to benefit from the next agricultural loan before other States," he urged.

According to the NLC Chairman, over 3000 civil servants, who are directly or indirectly farmers, had applied for the loan.

This, he said, would enable them, even after retirement, to contribute their quota to the food security of Nigeria.

The NLC Chairman also appreciated the untirng efforts of Governor Bagudu, for the development of Kebbi State and welfare of civil servants, as well as citizens of the State in general.

Responding , Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, welcomed the state NLC and TUC leadership, for coming to break Ramadan fast (Iftar), with him and prayed to the Almighty God to accept our prayers, as well as blessed Nigerian workers .

He explained :" Because of the desire President Muhammadu has for Nigerian workers to engage in meaningful economic activities, he had directed him with his Chief of Staff, to meet with NLC and TUC leadership, to take advantage of the loan.

"' The President has directed that we should work with the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC in order to mobilize Nigerian workers and pensioners, both civilians, military and paramilitary, so that they can partake in activities that the constitution allow workers to be part of and they should receive support .

'" The Chief of Staff to Mr President and I were at the National Executive Council meeting of NLC, with representative of CBN Governor and we had been working with both NLC leadership and TUC leadership, the CBN and office of Chief of Staff, to ensure that we achieve the objective ", he assured.

Bagudu further said that, even before then, the Chairman of NLC and him had spoken and had agreed that, Kebbi State should start so that other states would see how it would work.

He assured the NLC leadership that, it will start before the wet season, saying that, it is not only farming, but poultry, fisheries and small scale processing.

The Progressives Governors' Forum Chairman also urged civil servants to take advantage of the opportunity, to further bolster food security in the country.

He cited example with some countries like Cuba where almost every household or family engages in economic activity, who has an economic tree which provides additional income to the family.

The Ramadan breakfast (Iftar ), was attended by the Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safayanu Garba Bena, Commissioner of Environment, Hon Hayatudeen Bawa, Special Adviser on Power, Alhaji Yusuf Haruna and the leadership of NLC, TUC and some of their members.

Signed:
YAHAYA SARKI,
Special Adviser (SA) Media to Kebbi State Governor
2/5/2021