The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, has called for synergy between the Bank of Agriculture, National Poverty Eradication Programme ( NAPEP ) and the National Directorate of Employment ( NDE).
Abubakar, who made the call when the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Dr Mohammed Santuraki, paid him a courtesy call in Sokoto on Wednesday, said that such an arrangement, would further reduce poverty and unemployment in the country.
The sultan said: “Not that I am calling for their scrapping or merger, rather they should work hand in hand as they have similar mandates.
“They should have an efficient inter-link among themselves . They all have the same aims of engaging more Nigerians meaningfullly.
“By such gestures, more Nigerians will be taken away from violence and crimes and have a better society.”
Abubakar observed that poverty is the major factor precipitating crimes and various security challenges in Nigeria.
“When it comes to food, there is no politics. A hungry man is an angry man.
“When the people are left with no food or nothing to do, there must always be problems for the society.’’
Abubakar commended the Federal Government for re-invigorating the bank, recalling the glorious old days of the defunct NACB, the predecessor of BOA.
“We are delighted with what the Federal Government has done to revamp agriculture after the sector was neglected after the discovery of the black gold.
“No amount of oil or gold etc you still have the need for food to eat . You cannot just throw away agriculture because of this basic need,” he added.
Abubakar pledged to continue to be an active partner with the bank and other agencies aimed at further improving the living standard of Nigerians.
Earlier, Santuraki had told the Sultan that the visit was aimed at showing appreciation to him on his sustained support to the bank.
“It is a fatherly visit to also thank the sultan for his contribution to peace and unity in Nigeria and humanity across the globe generally.
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