Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has donated 500 bags of 25Kgs improved maize seedlings to farmers in five communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa.
Atiku said that the gesture was to bring succour and assist the communities who are predominantly farmers to improve their agricultural production.
The vice president, who was represented by Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo, the National Vice Chairman, Adamawa Peace Initiative of the American University of Nigeria (APIAUN), said that the beneficiaries were selected after thorough
screening.
“The beneficiaries are grassroots farmers affected by Boko Haram insurgency from Mubi North Local Government Area.
“The beneficiaries include 300 women farmers,” Gambo said.
He said that the gesture was a complementary palliative, assuring them of more assistance of farm inputs.
He listed Mayo-Bani, Mavu, Mavur, Kwa and Betso communities as the beneficiaries of the farm inputs.
The District Head of Mayo-Bani, Alahji Yahya Ubandoma, commended the former vice president for the gesture.
He warned the beneficiaries not to eat the seedlings because it was contaminated with poisonous chemicals that could easily kill them and animals instantly.
The traditional ruler, however, appealed to the appropriate authority to provide farmers in the area with inputs.
“Lack of fertiliser is affecting our farm production, we are appealing to the appropriate authority to look into the situation,” Ubandoma said.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary Yusuf, also expressed their appreciation to Atiku for identifying with them in their critical condition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two farmers would share a bag of the seedlings. (NAN)