Vice President Kashim Shettima has said agricultural revolution and technological advancement can be deployed to end insecurity and reduce poverty among Nigeria’s growing population.
Shettima stated this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, while delivering the 13th Convocation Lecture of Al-Hikmah University, Ilọrin on Saturday.
The Vice President who underscored education as an important aspect in Nigeria’s growth, urged the country to leverage the growing influence of technology to develop its agricultural sector.
He said, “Through the deployment of technology, we can actualise food security among the country’s growing population.
“Nigeria can overcome insecurity if we can grow our economy to radically reduce our poverty levels. Only an agricultural revolution can guarantee this.
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“We can reduce our dependence on the rest of the world when we can employ all who seek employment.”
Noting that Nigeria has no justification not to be among the 10 richest countries in the world, the VP emphasized the value of realistic stocktaking of the nation’s assets and liabilities.
He said: “Going by the amount of arable land, water resources and size of our humanity, Nigeria has no reason not to be among the ten richest countries today.
“That we are near the bottom is precisely why we sought to offer our services to do justice to all that God Has bestowed us with.
“Nigeria today reminds us that it is not enough to have potential. Indeed, the nation in this most trying moment, and I can testify to his faith that this is a task that can be accomplished.”
The Vice President thanked the management of the school for naming the newly-constructed Faculty of Nursing Complex which he commissioned after him.
He also officially opened the university’s Faculty of Law Moot Court Complex at the Atere Campus of the University.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Noah Yusuf, noted that food insecurity had become a big problem in Nigeria.
He thanked the Kwara State Governor for constructing the road leading to the university as well as granting permission to name it after the school.
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