Jigawa: Buhari inaugurate 5,700 -hectare Hadejia valley irrigation scheme

President Muhammmadu Buhari Tuesday inaugurated the 5,700 hectares Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in Auyo local government area of Jigawa state, saying it would significantly contribute to Nigeria’s quest for food security, job creation and economic diversification.

The President urged the host community to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the gigantic irrigation infrastructure, stressing that “it will be a small part in our over-all quest to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.”

He also charged the Jigawa state government to sustain its commitment to the agricultural sector, acknowledging the success of the cluster system introduced by the present administration of Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar under the slogan of “Farming is a Business”.

During his one-day official visit to Jigawa state the President visited four local government areas to inaugurate projects including the Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme at Auyo, Birnin Kudu Specialist Hospital, Malam Alu Integrated Agro-Allied Farm, Birnin Kudu and the dualized Unity-Pentagon-Fanisau Road.

At the farm, the President unveiled a 50.3 metres flag pole, described as the tallest in the country by Hon. Aliyu.

The President also had an aerial view of some of the roads, infrastructure, bridges and places affected by the flood disaster in September 2022, which affected many parts of Jigawa State.

He used the occasion to express sympathies for the flood victims, promising more relief materials to them.

‘‘While I was previously briefed on the scale of the devastations with regards to loss of lives, destruction of farm lands and public infrastructure, today I was able to personally see the extent of the damage.

Governor Badaru told the President that the state would remain grateful to the federal government for several completed and ongoing projects in the transport, education, health, social investments, agriculture and security sectors.

‘‘Since your administration, we have never seen it better in the life of Jigawa State,’’ he said during the banquet in honour of the President.

“We cannot thank you enough for food security, especially the Anchor Borrowers Programme. Today we see farming in Jigawa as a business and some farmers in the State are among the richest in Nigeria,’’ he said.