I was surprised to hear only 2.5% Nigeria’s arable land being cultivated, says President Buhari

*Says security in North East, South South has improved

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State, urged more Nigerians to embrace farming, saying he was surprised to hear that only 2.5 percent of arable land in the country is being cultivated.

President Buhari told newsmen at his residence, after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers, that the Presidential Economic Advisory Council had notified him that only a small percentage of the land in the country had been used for farming, directing security outfits to work more with communities to create a more friendly environment for farmers.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, made this known in a statement he issued and posted on his verified Facebook social media handle on Tuesday.

According to Shehu, the President mandated security outfits to be more relentless in maintaining peace in the country, and ensure a more harmonious relationship with communities so that they can glean intelligence.

He said the security situation had improved considerably over time in the North East and South South, and that efforts were being made in North Central and North West, assuring that more would be done to fish out those that had been troubling the peace of the nation and citizens.

Earlier at the prayer ground, the Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk, called on citizens to be more supportive of the President so that he can actualize his vision of improving security and boosting the economy.

“Since the President came into power we have seen some positive changes in the country.

“May God continue to strengthen the President with good health and courage to bring peace to the country. God will not allow Nigeria to see shame,’’ he said. “God has been keeping the country and he will keep the country.”