President Buhari makes first public statement after reopening Idiroko, other Nigerian borders
*Says he shut all borders to protect local farmers
By OUR REPORTER, Abuja
For the first time since a week that some of the borders connecting Nigeria with neighbouring countries especially the Idiroko borders were reopened, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, made public statement regarding the development.
Buhari spoke as President of Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed that the bank has earmarked $1.5 billion Africa Emergency Food Plan to cushion the effect of Russia/Ukraine conflict expected to trigger global food crisis, adding that his government shut the nation’s borders to protect Nigerian farmers.
The President, who spoke at a meeting with the AfDB President in the State House, Abuja, explained that much had been achieved in encouraging local farmers since the land borders were closed two years ago. He, however, lauded the AfDB for planning ahead of whatever negative consequences might come from the Russia-Ukraine conflict in terms of food security.
“Thank you for knowing our weaknesses and our strengths, and for planning and working ahead. ”We are very much aware of the need for food security, and to encourage our local farmers, that was why we closed our borders for about two years to curb smuggling. We made some progress,” the President said.
