By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, the Northern Senators Forum, and the Senator representing Niger East, Sani Musa, have rejoiced with former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd) on his 83rd birthday.
The elder statesman, who was born in Minna, Niger State, on August 17, 1941, served as the country’s military president from August 27, 1985, to August 26, 1993.
Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said the former military leader played a significant role in advancing the country’s infrastructure.
He said the legacy projects of the former military leader would continue to benefit the Nigerian masses.
He said, “He is one of our elder statesmen who played a significant role in fast-tracking the development of our beloved country.”
The Northerner Senators Forum (NSF), in a statement by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, said Babangida’s “selfless service to our great nation has left an indelible mark on our history.”
The NSF said, “Your vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria led to the creation of 11 new states, promoting true federalism and development across the country.
“Your contributions to the growth of our nation are countless, from the development of the federal capital territory, Abuja, to the construction of the iconic Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, then the longest bridge in Africa.”
Musa, who represents Babangida in the Senate, described him as an inspiration to many Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance thanked God for the life of Babangida who has impacted positively in the lives of Nigerians across the country.
Musa noted the Babangida’s endeavours towards the development of the nation, especially in infrastructure and other areas.
He, however, acknowledged the role the former head of state played in the sculpting of modern Nigeria and hailed him for his services to Nigeria as a country.
*As Natasha distributes 2,400 bags of fertiliser bags to constituents
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distributed four trucks of fertilisers to farmers as part of efforts to ensure food security and promote agriculture in her constituency.
The distribution, held at her country home in Ihima, Okehi, had in attendance the farmers’ unions from the five local government areas of the district; the Ebira Farmers’ Unions from neighboring states; the Ebira Peoples Association (EPA), as well as members of the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo communities in Kogi Central.
The four trucks contained 2,400 bags of NPK and Urea fertilisers.
Akpoti-Uduaghan encouraged the farmers to register under a union in their area to facilitate federal government interventions, emphasising that accurate data on farmers and their needs can only be obtained through verifiable records.
She disclosed that the intervention was brought by the federal government to support farmers.
She said, “These fertilisers were given to the good people of Kogi Central by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He thought it wise to support the farmers of Kogi Central, and he provided us with four trailers.
“I have brought all four trailers down here. We have also devised a means of distribution that will take into consideration farmers who farm in Kogi Central and those who farm in other states.
“We have many Ebira farmers in Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, and Nasarawa states. So, we will allocate a portion of the fertilisers to them, but the larger part will go to our farmers who cultivate on our soil here.
“We have also considered our people who are indigenous to other tribes but are residents here, such as the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo communities.
“They will all take part in this fertiliser distribution because we understand how difficult times are, and we all need interventions and palliatives.
“The 2,400 bags of NPK and Urea fertilisers will be distributed today. This is not the only support that farmers in Kogi Central will receive, but I urge you all to register with your various Farmers’ Associations in your local government areas, as we will rely on this data moving forward.
“The farmers’ register is necessary because we need to know the capacity of every farm and what is being planted. We need to identify farmers based on the crops they plant and the size of their farmland, as this will determine the kind of intervention and support they receive,” she said.
