By Gboyega Akinsanmi
The Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has disclosed that Nigeria could not have been able to reduce rice importation by 90 per cent without the strategic support of his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to the Nigerian Rice Initiative (NRI).
Bagudu, however, lamented that Ambode had done so much for Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general that he should be denied an opportunity to seek re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.
He gave the insight into how the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States culminated in the massive production of Lake Rice at the 18th National Women Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Thursday.
At the conference, Bagudu commended Ambode for the Lake Rice initiative, saying apart from rekindling hope in the ability of Nigerians to achieve a lot for Nigeria, the initiative led to 90 per cent reduction in rice Importation.
“Ambode spoke about one of the things I believe is a measure of his greatness which is the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi. Ambode and I have worked in farms in Kebbi State. Without Ambode, there would not have been Lake Rice. I repeat again without Ambode, there would not have been Lake Rice.
“The significance of Lake Rice is that it encouraged a revival in the ‘we can do spirit’ and Mr. President captured it adequately when he said at least now when we tell the world we are going to do something they better take us seriously.
“Those Nigerians, Africans and well wishers who saw Mr. President when he visited Prime Minister Theresa May and President Trump and announced enthusiastically that Nigeria has reduced its rice importation by 90 per cent can humbly say that without Ambode we wouldn’t have achieved that.
“Ambode supported the NRI. Without her Excellency, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and COWLSO, who encouraged and supported the Lake Rice and the Nigerian Rice Project that would not have been possible. I thank you all for what you have done for Nigeria and what we have done to show that it is possible,” he said.
Bagudu, however, lamented Ambode’s botched second-term aspiration, which according to him, might have been due to the fact that the governor might have offended some political leaders and interests in the state.
Despite his botched aspiration to seek re-election, Bagudu commended Ambode for the high sense of maturity displayed in the wake of the political developments, saying he demonstrated grace which had united the APC ahead of the 2019 elections.
In his remarks, Ambode said the Lake Rice initiative had significantly impacted on the economic fortunes of not only Lagos and Kebbi States, but also the entire nation, saying Bagudu also deserved commendation for the success of the partnership.
Ambode congratulated executives and members of COWLSO for another very successful conference, saying it was on record that Mrs. Ambode, along with other hardworking and committed members, had succeeded in taking the association and the annual conference to a higher level.
He said from testimonies, the conference was yet another rewarding two days of networking, eye-opening, educative and inspiring experiences, adding that it now behooves participants to spread the knowledge gained.
He said the opportunity to be part of a conference such as this is a privilege which also comes with a corresponding responsibility, noting that women “have a responsibility to share this experience with other women and men around you.
“This is the only way that the impact of the knowledge gained at this conference can be widened and deepened. It is a burden each and everyone has to discharge to the best of your abilities. The government, no doubt, also has its own responsibility in terms of giving due and deserving consideration to the recommendations contained in your communiqué”.
In a communiqué for the conference, COWLSO said it was time for women to rise against the menace of children becoming mothers, especially by putting machinery in place for continuous sensitisation and advocacy to address and eliminate the root causes and consequences.
The communiqué, which was read by Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said government “must put structures and policies in place to address the issues of children having children”.
“The government at all levels, policy makers in health sector both at state and local levels, family, society, NGOs and so on, must all rise and resolve to eliminate the menace by enacting a policy for a reduction in the minimum age in rendering family planning services from 13 to 15 years,” she said.
