Adesina charges FUTA graduates to embrace technology and build a new, smart Nigeria

Yusuf Bello/ The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, on Wednesday recalled his time as Nigeria’s minister of agriculture and emphasised the importance of technology, which he said boosted food security and expanded wealth for farmers.

Adesina, who stated this while speaking during the Conferment of Honorary Doctorate of Technology by the Federal University of Technology Minna, said he turned the power of technology in Nigeria’s Agricultural sector.

The AFDB boss told his listeners he enabled 15 million farmers to have access to improved seeds and fertilisers and to end corruption in the agricultural sector using their mobile phones.

He said, “It was revolutionary; the first not only in Africa but actually it was the first in the world. It helped to produce in Nigeria a record additional 21 million metric tonnes of food. It boosted food security and expanded wealth for farmers.”

“Rural wealth expanded from the North-East across the North-Central to the North-West, from the South-West, South-East and the South-South of the country.

“It brought accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. It changed the lives of farmers including Hajia Ladi Balade, a female farmer in Zamfara’s Bakalori irrigation project who was growing just two hectares of rice,” Adesina stated.

“I went to her farm. With the technology support she received on her mobile phone, Hajia Ladi Baladi boosted her production, went to Mecca and supported 23 orphans. My wife, Grace is here today. She would call Hajia Ladi Balade the Minister’s second wife.”

Adesina who noted that the graduates have been shaped in Minna and should help shape the tech future of Nigeria, charged them to embrace technology and build a new, smart Nigeria.

“As the class of 2022, you will help shape the tech future of Nigeria.: So be leaders, you have been shaped right here in Minna for exports to other parts of Nigeria, Africa and to the world.

“Build a new, smart, dynamic, globally competitive Nigeria. It is in your hands, go and make it happen. I wish you success and God’s success and God’s richest blessing,” he said.