By Zakari Haruna Isah
The Tinubu Support Group has flagged off the distribution of 200 bags of fertilizer to its members and local farmers in Kaduna State, marking yet another phase of its grassroots empowerment initiative.
The agricultural intervention was made possible through a donation by Representative Kabir Abubakar Bichi, the federal lawmaker representing Bichi Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Kaduna, the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre and Northwest Coordinator for the Tinubu Support Group, Baffa Babba Dan'agundi, stated that the gesture is part of fulfilling campaign promises to deliver the dividends of democracy.
He explained that this is the third time he is bringing different empowerment support to the Tinubu Support Group in the Northwest, including Kaduna.
Addressing the target beneficiaries, Dan'agundi clarified that the group represents all segments of the populace, noting that while past initiatives targeted women and youths with specialized vocational training, the current distribution specifically targets farmers within the support group to boost local agricultural productivity.
He stressed that measures are in place to ensure beneficiaries use the fertilizer on their farms rather than reselling it.
In defense of the administration's economic record, Dan'agundi argued that President Tinubu has introduced critical fiscal discipline to address poverty and inflation in Nigeria.
He pointed out that unlike previous administrations, the current federal government has stopped borrowing money to pay civil servant salaries. He also recalled how foreign airlines were suspended or packed up prior to Tinubu's presidency due to their inability to repatriate funds in US dollars, noting that foreign companies have now returned to Nigeria, confident in their ability to retrieve their funds.
Furthermore, he asserted that the skyrocketing cost of essential food items has begun to drop due to targeted agricultural and economic reforms. While acknowledging that challenges persist, Dan'agundi praised the President's transparency, stating that he appreciates how President Tinubu openly accepts the country's difficulties, including poverty, as well as the assets and liabilities he inherited.
When asked to respond to mounting calls from some factions in Northern Nigeria urging President Tinubu not to seek a second term, the coordinator offered a unique defense. Dan'agundi argued that whether one believes the President is performing well or struggling, the logical conclusion points toward continuity. He explained that those who believe the President has done well would naturally agree he deserves a second term.
On the other hand, he argued that even if critics claim the President has failed, a failing student is typically allowed to repeat the class so they can perform better next time. In either case, Dan'agundi expressed confidence that the President would return to office.
The distribution event was attended by various state dignitaries, including representatives of the Kaduna State Government and key officials of the All Progressives Congress state executive committee, who expressed gratitude to the donors for supporting local agricultural efforts.