The federal government on Monday said the rice revolution embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari since assuming office has taken millions of Nigerians out of poverty, adding that the achievements alone is enough to get the president re-elected for another term if he decides to run.
Addressing a press briefing in Lagos, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information said the rice revolution started by the federal government through the Anchors Borrowers Programme has reduced drastically the importation of rice in the country as 60 percent of rice eaten in Nigeria today are produced locally.
“The agricultural revolution in general and the rice revolution, in particular, have taken millions of Nigerians out of poverty. As a matter of fact, today, 60% of rice eaten in Nigeria is produced in Nigeria. In the words of the rice processors, the rice revolution alone is enough to guarantee re-election for President Buhari, if he decides to run again!”
“We want to use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to complement the efforts of the government by consuming only locally-grown and processed rice. It is fresher. It is tastier. It is healthier. It has not spent months on the high seas and warehouses” .
“We don’t know where or how imported rice is made or how old it is? It is reported that most of the rice dumped on us are old and probably rejects. The citizens of those countries do not eat this rice. The citizens of Benin also do not eat it. But they send it to us. Unhealthy foods are dangerous to health. So let’s eat what we can vouch for”.