Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

By Richard Elesho/ Lokoja

Kogi State Government has said it is working hard to make Nigeria the leading producer of Cassava in Africa.
Addressing newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday, the Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor said the State’s Ministry of Agriculture and ADP are driving a good plan that has already positioned Kogi to become the leading Cassava producer in the continent.
“Governor Yahaya Bello has put in place, good plans to make Cassava production a major agricultural project in the state.
“Already, Kogi is one of the top producers. But we have discovered that we can turn around the economy of the state with Cassava production.
“The Cassava City, which is receiving serious commitment from government is expected to spark massive production and processing. Work on the City is massive and quite encouraging.
“When completed and fully functional; the Cassava City will attract investments in millions of dollars as well as create jobs and wealth for thousands of young people in the state.
“With our success story in rice production and fish farming; our foray into Cassava production will further underscore the importance attached to agriculture in Kogi State”.
Fanwo said apart from the commercial and economic benefits of government’s Concentration on agriculture; crime rate will be drastically brought down.
“Governor Yahaya Bello is poised to reduce crime by engaging young minds in productive ventures. Crime is not only fought with arm, but with jobs.
“Nigeria is gradually moving towards agriculture with dwindling incomes from oil. Kogi will be example to others in the sector”.
He said Government is also wooing a good number of serious investors to partner with government to make agriculture the centerpiece of the state’s economy.