Abuja: A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohammed Ndarani, has called for more empowerment of Nigerians with skills in education and agriculture for sustainable development and food security. Ndarani made the call at the ‘Colloquium on Agriculture’ and an Endowment Fund launch for the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation, where he also made a donation of N30 million. The senior lawyer is a traditional title holder of Hukuncin Nupe and a member of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, which is for the empowerment of the less privileged.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ndarani stated that the foundation would work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the rights of Nigerians are upheld, irrespective of their class. He emphasized that every human has the right to adequate, sufficient, and healthy food, as stated in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. He highlighted that it is part of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of State policy, contained in Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to ensure that suitable and adequate food is provided for all citizens. Additionally, he noted that rights to decent housing will be upheld, as Article 16(2) of the Constitution recognizes the right to adequate housing, socio-economic rights, rights to education, and healthcare.
Ndarani reiterated that the foundation would leverage the untapped potential of Nigerian youths to serve as a catalyst for the economic growth and development of Nigeria. He explained that the foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people through various programs, including education, community development, health and wellness, poverty alleviation, scholarship and skill development, community infrastructure, food security, and economic growth. The intervention will empower farmers and agric-preneurs to reinforce agriculture as a viable economic driver in the country, with the goal to empower people to become independent and able to take care of their individual needs.
He emphasized the importance of empowering youths through skills acquisition and employment opportunities, expressing hope that Niger state’s development success would serve as a benchmark for replication across the country. He commended Gov. Umar Bago for his efforts to drive progress and development in the state, benefiting its people. Ndarani acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Etsu Nupe for his wisdom and dedication to promoting peace and development in Nupeland, Niger State, and Nigeria.
Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, mentioned that the event was for stakeholders to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the teething problems deterring the development of agriculture in Nigeria. The foundation aims to cater to the indigent in the areas of Education, health, Youth and Women empowerment, among others, aligning its objectives with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at driving economic growth, enhancing living standards, and fostering national development. He commended the partnerships between Silicon Valley Nigeria, NYSC, and the Niger Government on agricultural projects, adding that it has potential for transformative initiatives in the sector.
