By Faith Igbudu
National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju (Dr) Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism.
He stated this at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) shortly after being awarded a doctorate degree, D.Sc (Honoris Causa) on the occasion of the recent 23rd – 25th combined convocation ceremony of the university.
In his appeal, Tinubu stated that “good Nigerians must stop fighting each other to stand rather let our different agricultural produce be projected.” “Whether city or rural dweller, whether farmer or herder, we must join in common cause against the real enemies that we face: the terrorists and bandits who attempt to pull us apart,” he stated.
The former governor of Lagos State lamented the incessant attack on those in the agricultural sector saying the act will set the country back. His words: “Nigeria is far from the promised land, Nigerians must strive to do more in order to make the country great.
“The military must begin to revise their strategies so that agricultural communities are better protected.” This, he said, “will enable higher food production, thereby reducing hunger and poverty.”
He called on government to “work with local communities to establish farm cooperatives that will increase mechanisation of agricultural production.”
Tinubu called on the graduands to represent the school well in their endeavors. “Strive to be the best. In your hands lies the ability to feed the nation and expand on agriculture,” he advised. He further encouraed them to be bold and apt in telling government what it must do to enhance the county’s agricultural capacity.
On behalf of the honorees, Tinubu, thanked the university for finding them worthy of the honour and assured the university of total cooperation and support in helping to churn out future agriculture experts.
Others who were awarded honorary degrees were: the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Dr Godwin Emeifele, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylvia and former Governor of Adamawa State and Director, Sobore farms, Vice-Admiral Murtala Nyako.