Agriculture holds the key to our survival as a nation, says PDP Chairman

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Published on Monday, 14 May 2012 11:32

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Tukur made the call at a grand reception held in his honour by the party at his home town, Jada, in Adamawa state over the weekend. 

He promised that the PDP and the government will increase their support, efforts and policies to make agriculture the mainstay of the nation’s economy, but observed that “these efforts should not end with the PDP government. No! Non-PDP governments, where they exist, should also give agriculture the utmost priority it deserves.” “The Peoples Democratic Party, under my leadership, will ensure that all PDP governors are effective in their performance,” he pledged. 

Representing President Goodluck Jonathan at the grand reception, Vice President Muhammad Namadi Sambo, noted that the federal government is addressing the agricultural sector as top priority through new approach, saying “We have changed the concept of agriculture from agriculture as programme to agriculture as business.” 

According to the Vice President, “This will address the whole value chain of agriculture as government is providing the necessary educational, financial and infrastructural support to our farmers in the area of essential skills, power, transportation, mechanization and other facilities required in our quest for agricultural transformation. We are currently constructing and rehabilitating over 200 small and medium dams and irrigation schemes across the nation; some of which include the Gurara in Kaduna, Chad basin in Borno, Auyo in Jigawa state, Jada in Adamawa state and Didinkowa in Gombe state – just to mention a few.”   

The grand reception was attended by several governors, Assembly members, PDP BOT members, party state chairmen, and other important party chieftains from across the nation. Speaker and after speaker extold the virtue of Dr. Turkur, and described him as the right man for the job. 

The very elated new national chairman further said, “I could see Nigeria in PDP.  Even some of the states who decided to go on sabbatical leave are now coming back, so that all of us will be together in building our nation.” 

According to Tukur, even though the office of the National Chairman of the PDP has its own unique challenges, it is another opportunity to continue to offer selfless service to the party and to give President Goodluck Jonathan all the support he needs for re-building  our  dear nation. 

He added that his tenure as the party’s national chairman will ensure that Nigeria is remolded into real democracy;  a feat that only be achieved through a party built in equity and justice. 

 He lamented that though many of Nigeria’s problems have been with us for some time, some of them that are new and staring the nation in the face “have been as a result of dysfunctional society.” 

“Our country today faces a number of daunting challenges; the challenges of abject poverty and  unemployment, the challenges of youth restiveness , the challenge of near collapse of  infrastructure, and most importantly   the challenge of alarming prevalence of corruption.” 

“The most challenging is the growth of insecurity and extreme use of violence as an instrument of agitation. The way it is being used is new to us. It is important, therefore, that we come together as members of one family to seek a wise solution to this unfortunate development.” 

As national chairman of the Africa’s largest party, Tukur pledged to assist in all possible ways to rid Nigeria of all imported negative values, emphasizing that “the new emphasis should be on dialogue  and peaceful resolution,” because “where debate ceases, democracy will never grow. So, by joining hands to shun violence, we shall be protecting and promoting a healthy and ideal democracy.” 

“Let our lives reflect exemplary teachings and values. Our party and government    will continue to discharge their duty diligently with all commitments towards eradicating poverty and corruption in private and public sectors;” he urged.

Chief Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary