I am particularly saddened by the Kebbi flooding disaster, which has led to the loss of lives and destruction of thousands of hectares of farmland. It is a major setback to our efforts to boost local rice production as part of measures to end importation.

This bad news couldn't have come at a worse time for our farmers and other Nigerians who looked forward to a bumper harvest this year in order to reduce the current astronomical rise in the costs of food items in the markets.

Kebbi State is the focal point of our policy to produce rice locally as part of the administration's commitment to agricultural revival. I sympathize with the bereaved families & the farmers affected. We will work closely with the State Government to bring relief to all victims.