- * As NASENI Promises AMEDI Project Completion In Lafia, February Next Year
By David Odama (In Lafia, Nasarawa State)
The federal government has warned Nigerians against the promotion of ethnic and religious differences as the nation head towards electioneering in 2023.
Buhari gave the warning in Lafia during a two a 2-day official visit to Nasarawa state on inspection of the construction of the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute, Lafia started August this year
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Buhari said the federal government was not unmindful of the security challenges facing the nation adding that the citizens must embrace one another irrespective of ethnic and religious differences.
"I am urging all Nigerians to always tolerate each other, embrace one another and work towards the peace, unity and development of the country. We must entrench ethnic and religious tolerance so as to achieve a common goal of making our country save and great.
According to the president, building of the AMEDI in Lafia was because of its commitment to the development of agriculture, and to guaranty food security across the nation.
He expressed confidence that the agricultural institute being built by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure is to modify, add value chain as well as bring about emerging centre for Nigeria to become a hub for agro-allied technologies.
"I want to commend the Executive Vice-Chairman of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Sani-Haruna for the work he has been doing across the country. I also want to thank the Nasarawa state government for all the support they have given us since the project commenced.
Earlier, in his address, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Professor Mohammed Sani-Haruna, had said the establishment of AMEDI in Lafia is one of the six AMEDI’s approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 to guaranty food security in the country.
Haruna explained further that the establishment of the AMEDI Lafia is to drive the use of modern tools and equipment for mechanized Agriculture and Technology for food processing, preservation and to ensure food availability and artificial intelligence for efficient and multi-crop seasons.
NASENI Executive Vice Chairman enumerated the locations of the six AMEDI's approved by the president to include Nasarawa State - North Central Geo-political zone, Adamawa State - North East Geo-political zone, Kebbi State - North West Geo-political zone, Cross River State - South South Geo-political zone, Imo State - South East Geo-political zone and Osun State for the South West Geo-political zone.
"Although, the volume of rain in September to October affected progress of work, we have been able to completed substantial part of construction of work.
"NASENI is collaborating with partners from Hashmite Kingdom of Jordan, Czech Republic and Italy to equip this Institute and the other five Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute with state of the earth Research and Manufacturing facilities, targeting the best and the highest technology in the world," Sani-Haruna added.
While expressing gratitude to President Buhari, his Chief of Staff, Gambari, Governor Abdullahi Sule and the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (Rtd), for efforts towards ensuring food security in Nasarawa state and the country at large,
The NASENI Executive Vice-Chairman said the that needed machines for the take off of the AMEDI Lafia will soon be available and the institute will be inaugurated January and February next year.
It would be recalled that the President's representative, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, was bestowed with the traditional title of Zanna Yawu Dima of Lafian Bare-Bari, meaning the “Defender of the Dynasty” by the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (Retd). NNL.
