By Amos Tauna
Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Catholic Diocese of Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, has warned that, the nation may experience famine in the coming year if the Kaduna State and federal governments failed to secure farmers in southern Kaduna from going to farm this planting season.
“This part of the state has recorded rain twice this year and indication that farming activities may resume anytime soon,” the Archbishop explained.
The Archbishop told newsmen shortly after he presented Pope John Benedict II awards to 13 distinguished Catholics comprising of a Priest and 12 others at Catholic Social Centre Kaduna as part of activities to celebrate 100 years of its Diocese, that in spite of efforts to address insecurity in the area, pokcet of killings was still taking place.
He called for more proactive measures to nip the menace in the bud.
According to him, a lot of farm produce are already been wasted and some lost to bandits due to inability of the farmers to go to farm to harvest their crops as at when due because of the fear of the unknown.
He said, “You don’t need a prophet to tell you that because it is a simple logic that, failure to go to farm is sure hunger. Already a lot of them even cannot even harvest crops they planted last year. They have lost everything to bandits and therefore if they are not secured to go to farm this time, there will be famine beyond Kaduna State.
“Last week, we heard there was killing there again. We pray and hope that the situation improves. The rain is coming now and that means very soon, planting will start and if people who are farmers are not secured, can they go to farm and plant? And if that happens you can imagine the consequences of that by next year.
“So something needed to be done and done drastically so people can live their normal live and do what they suppose to do in the interest of people who don’t farm but eat and the country’s GDP in general.
“Therefore it still a matter of concern for us and all we want is that peace should reign in that area. Government should do the needful. We know they are trying but they really need to ensure people are secured and they can go about their legitimate businesses.
“Arch Diocese celebrated 100 years of its Diocese in December 2016 and 13 of our members who have been working hard to the growth of the Diocese have been graciously rewarded today to encourage others.”
