As part of efforts by his administration to boost food security in Nasarawa State and the country at large, Governor Abdullahi Sule has presented a N40m cheque given as loan to a farmer’s cooperative society, the Azara Symbiotic Farmers Association.
Governor Sule presented the cheque at a ceremony at the Government House on Thursday.
While commending the beneficiaries of the loan, the Governor called on the Azara Symbiotic Farmers Association to make judicious use of the funds meant to further boost their farming activities.
He challenged the beneficiaries to do their best and to justify the trust in their ability to utilize the funds, in order to serve as example for others, especially that the state government has the capacity to exceed the N500m limit as provided by the Nasarawa State Youth Revolving Fund Scheme (NYRF).
“If you start small, so many communities outside Azara will begin to show interest. But more importantly, if you also start small and you do it well, the state has the capacity to multiply whatever it is that we are putting forward even outside the arrangement with the Bank of Industry.
“I want to commend you and encourage you on this small cheque that you are getting. Because some of you are farmers that would utilize more than this amount. But lenders usually start small to see whether you can perform,” he said.
He equally commended the people of the area around Azara, Akiri and Wuse, over the quantities of rice being produced in the locality, with over 500 trucks of the commodity said to have been exported from the area.
Governor Sule said that was what motivated his administration to choose the 10, 000 hectares of land around Jangwa and Ribi, to be earmarked for the special food security programme as directed by the Federal Government.
He also used the opportunity of the event to commend Habiba Balarabe-Suleiman, the Director General of the Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency (NSHCDA), for her commitment at the agency that is bringing so much successes to the state.
“Like I said, even when she was not there, the DG believed in the work. It’s different if you give somebody a job and they are doing it simply because it’s a job. And there are people who are doing it because they are in love with what they are doing.
“I think part of our successes is not about my wisdom and my experience but because you truly believe in this human capital development. That is why we are recording these successes. I want to commend you for what you are doing,” he stated.
The Governor further assured members of the Azara Symbiotic Farmers Association of the willingness of his administration to increase the loan once they were able to make judicious use of the funds already given to the association.
In her speech during the event, Director General, Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency (NSHCDA), Habiba Balarabe-Suleiman appreciated Governor Sule for giving his approval for a special consideration for the Azara Symbiotic Farmers Association to benefit from the NYRF even though the association did not fall under the agreed upon matching fund agreement with the Bank of Industry (BOI).
The DG described the gesture as the manifestation of the Governor’s desire and commitment to not only empower the people but also bring development to the state, especially in the area of agriculture.
She disclosed that following his approval, the state government, through her agency, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Azara Symbiotic Farmers Association, after jointly agreeing on all the terms of reference.
Habiba Balarabe-Suleiman said the event was for Governor Sule to present the dummy cheque in the sum of forty million naira which he approved for the association.
She particularly commended the Governor for his foresight in establishing the state human capital development agency, which she said, is the only one in the country for now.
“You have stood for those without strength. You have spoken for the voiceless. You stand as a pillar of strength and progress for the people of Nasarawa State. We are indeed, lucky to have you especially at this time that there is a global economic meltdown,” she added.
In a vote of thanks, Comrade Yusuf Sarki Iya, Chairman, Azara Symbiotic Farmers Association, appreciated Governor Sule for approving the loan facility for members of his association.
Comrade Iya, a former labour leader in the state, assured that the Azara Symbiotic Farmers Association will reciprocate the gesture through the judicious utilization of the funds.
He called on the beneficiaries to honour the terms of reference as contained in the MoU.
“His Excellency is a father. We have worked very closely with him. If you repay this loan without any hitches, I believe he will add more for us to enjoy. If you refuse to pay, he will not tell you anything,” he said.
Comrade Iya said the association has however taken proactive measure towards ensuring that beneficiaries of the loan pay back as at when due.
