The tale of two rices: one, a kongo, the other, a metric tonne

Gather round, folks, and we will tell you the tale of rice production (or lack thereof) in two instances in Nigeria. In one, they are packaging one ‘kongo’ of rice accompanied by a 200 naira note to allude to ‘stomach infrastructure’; in the other, they are alluding to the entire ‘human infrastructure’ and are already producing 1 million tonnes of rice for both subsistence and export needs.

While some states in Nigeria: Ekiti and Ondo, for example, are dependent on Abuja money, are neck-deep in debt, and owing workers salaries, states like Lagos and Kebbi are growing their economy and declaring excess funds by simply employing commonsensical ideals of 21st century governance, creating multiple avenues to generate revenue for greater, immediate, and long-term good.

News broke recently that Kebbi state has developed capacity to produce export-grade rice, and being a Governor with foresight, Governor Ambode of Lagos is seen here in Kebbi state, on a consultation visit with Governor Bagudu of Kebbi, for talks on consolidating on what Kebbi has started by doing the same for Lagos.

The Lagos and Kebbi State Governments in April had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which they said would culminate in the production of 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice requirements annually.

The two states governments also explained the genesis of the agreement, ascribing it to the policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to diversify the country’s economy and feed its citizens.

Seriously, as naturally blessed most states in Nigeria are, some in visibly-arable land and/or mineral resources, the knack by some Governors to rely solely on Abuja allocation just goes to show why retrogression is the mainstay in such states right now, especially in this era of oil-price drop.

Kudos to Governor Bagudu and Governor Ambode jare, let some other pomo-prone Governors keep making governance seem like Kryptonitic superpower.