Katsina, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that hunger and poverty—not oil—are Nigeria’s most pressing enemies, urging state governors to focus on agriculture and concrete development rather than respond to political distractions.
Speaking during a two-day working visit to Katsina State, Tinubu encouraged governors to ignore armchair critics and instead let their results and service to the people speak for them. “Let the people be at the heart of your programmes. Your hard work and concrete achievements will answer any criticism. Ignore distractions—your results will speak for you,” the President said.
He made these remarks while commissioning key projects, including a 24-kilometre Eastern Bypass road and the Katsina Agricultural Mechanisation Centre—both completed under the administration of Governor Dikko Umar Radda. Tinubu praised Radda for recording significant achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture within just 18 months in office.
“We have decided for peace and stability. I know you face terrorism and banditry attacks in the state, but you have shown determination and courage to move Katsina forward. You will not walk alone. The federal government will be with you,” he assured.
Emphasising food security as a top national priority, Tinubu noted that agriculture would be Nigeria’s key to economic independence. “Small and large-scale farming will be encouraged. Once we liberate ourselves from hunger, we will appreciate peace and harmony,” he said.
He also announced plans to revitalise the Bank of Agriculture, which will provide financial support to farmers at all levels. “The Bank of Agriculture is being resuscitated to make funds available for large, medium, and small-scale farming,” Tinubu said.
Governor Radda revealed that the newly launched mechanisation centre will serve all 34 local government areas in Katsina, supported by 400 new tractors purchased through a ₦25 billion federal government intervention. He also highlighted the distribution of 448,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser last year, with another 400,000 metric tonnes planned for this year, alongside 4,000 irrigation pumping machines.
Present at the event were governors from Borno, Benue, Kaduna, Kwara, and Jigawa states, as well as ministers of agriculture, culture, and solid minerals. Former governors Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Shema also attended, underscoring a rare show of bipartisan unity.
President Tinubu closed his remarks with a heartfelt appreciation to the people of Katsina, describing the visit as a homecoming. “This is home to me. Katsina is home—home to progress, development, and freedom,” he said.
