Keep IBB’s Good Legacy, Jigawa AFAN Challenges Mohammed Babangida

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, (AFAN) Jigawa state chapter has tasked the newly appointed Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture, (BoA), Mr.
Mohammed Babangida to keep the good legacy of his father, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida by discharging his responsibility equitably without bias.

The state chapter chairman of AFAN, Auwalu Garba Ibrahim, who threw the challenge while addressing reporters after the state executive council meeting of the association in Dutse, said Nigerian farmers were eagerly awaiting the new helmsman to unfold his programme aimed at reviving the bank

Ibrahim, who addressed sundry issues regarding the agric sector, expressed grave concern over reported cases of adulteration of fertilizer products which he said was capable of putting farmers at great loss and therefore urged the relevant government agency to quickly get to work in order to address the matter.

The AFAN chieftain, when asked if the younger could make the desired impact as the chairman of BoA, said he had no doubt that Mohammed could discharge the role, given his track record as a private business man and his education, saying, “I’m sure the federal government must have scrutinized him properly before handing him over the job.

“My only hope and prayer is that, he should discharge his assigned responsibility so well as to maintain the good record of service left by his father when he was the leader of this country. Everybody can attest to the fact that Gen. Babangida has done very well for Nigeria as the President.”

Ibrahim, an engineer said AFAN was disturbed by the reported case of sales of adulterated fertilizer to unsuspecting farmers in state, a situation he blamed on the high cost of products. He said however, that steps were being taken address the matter through appropriate government agency.

For example, he said, “the association had engaged support of the Federal Competition Consumer and Protection Commission, (FCCPC) with a view to tracking down those producing and selling fake fertilizers to our members.

“Our farmers are facing risk of huge losses following reports of poor-quality fertilizer flooding local markets and some of our farmers are ignorant of it, they purchased and later discovered its inauthenticity .” He lamented.

The AFAN chief explained that the association will not fold its arms and allow unscrupulous traders cheating their members through sales of adulterated fertilizer, urged farmers to provide credible information to the association and authorities on the activities of those suspected in undermining national food security.

He also disclosed that AFAN Jigawa was relieved about the verdict of Appeal Court sitting in Abuja affirming Dr. Farouk Mudi as the substantive National President of the body, describing it as a major step toward stabilizing the organization.

He noted that with the that verdict t
leadership tussle that had lingered in the association for years, that hindered the association’s ability to carry out it’s responsibilities would now been behind, and that a new chapter was about to be opened.

He expressed optimism that the ruling would unite Nigerian farmers, protect their interests, and strengthen the drive for sustainable food security, growth, and development.

The chapter urged the National President to view the judgment as a collective victory and extend an olive branch to all opposing factions in the interest of peace and progress.