A former governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has encouraged Nigerians to go back to the farm in order to produce enough food for the nation and reduce hunger.

Daniel also expressed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural industry to improve food security in the nation. He made these remarks during the commencement of a training program for rice farmers, which took place on Monday at the Asoludero Court in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The Senator announced that the Tinubu administration is committed to making Nigeria one of the top rice producers across the globe.

The event also involved the distribution of free rice seedlings and fertilizers to about 100 participants. In his speech, Daniel acknowledged the nation’s “great potential” in rice cultivation and production.

The lawmaker recalled how agriculture used to be the mainstay of the nation’s economy, stressing the need for the masses to rekindle their interest in farming in order to meet both local and international consumption, especially to earn foreign exchange for the country.

He enjoined Nigerians to continue supporting the present administration in its efforts to tackle the myriad of challenges facing the country and provide succor to the citizenry.

“God has been so good to us in Nigeria. We have a lot of potential. Before the advent of oil, agriculture was the mainstay of our economy. But somehow, we neglected agriculture which has greater prospects with the land we have in abundance. “I want to plead with us that it is time to return to farming. After this program, we expect you to plant these seedlings and become successful rice farmers. Let us begin to grow rice and make Nigeria become one of the rice-producing countries in the world,” he said.

Speaking, the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Dr Nasir Raji-Mustapha, described rice production as the “new oil” for the nation’s economy.

Raji-Mustapha, who was represented by Mrs. Linda Bitrus, charged the participants at the training to reciprocate the gesture of the organizers.