Insect Invasion: An appeal from a council chairman in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Farmers and the people of Fika local government area of Yobe state have cried out for help following a situation of insect invasion of their farms, rendering the people helpless in attempts to control the menace. This informed a call by the Executive Chairman of Fika local government area, Hon. Abdu Bukar Gadaka, to appeal to the Federal Government, Yobe State Government, none-governmental organizations (NGOs), and well-meaning individuals and organizations to join hands in providing assistance to the people.

According to the chairman, the call has become imperative because the lives of the people are in danger because this year the insects have destroyed all the farm products of the people of the local government area. He stressed that a farmer who was getting 40 bags before now gets only three measures (mudu of grains, as the locals called it). This is because insects have eaten the whole farm products of the people of the Fika local government area.

“We wrote an appeal and sent it to the Yobe state ministry of agriculture, and we also sent it to His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, and the government sent us insecticides, which we distributed to the people’s farms. However, the insects have destroyed all the farm products, and the worst areas affected are Lampo and Gashinge; Garu and Fusami wards were also worst affected. The products destroyed by the insects include shoghum, millet, genin corn, beans, and sesame, among others; all were damaged by the insects, but the groundnut is not affected. This is not the issue of drought because this year we got enough rainfall because for many years we didn’t see rainfall like this year, so this disaster is from God,” he said.

“Yobe state government gives us insecticides first; we spray it; then we make another write-up; now the people from the federal ministry of agriculture visit us; we went round with them; they bring us insecticides, but it’s too late; it can’t be used this year; farmers will keep it against next year.” He added.

He called on the federal government, Yobe state government, NGOs, and well-meaning individuals to assist his people with food security, adding that “let’s come and rescue the lives of our people; let them assist the people during this difficult time. Insects have cleared all the farms and land of the people of Fika local government. I call on the people to be patient and continue praying to Almighty Allah (SWT); we can’t do otherwise; this is what God brought on us. Let us continue praying to God to bring us a solution.

“My message is to the Federal Government, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Yobe State Government, under the able leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Minister of Agriculture, is to establish the Federal College of Agriculture in Gadaka because of the farming in the area. Since the time of the North East, they know Gadaka with farming of groundnut because of the nature of the land. Therefore, I am appealing to the Federal Government to come and establish the Federal College of Agriculture here in Gadaka. We have the site and land, and GGSS Gadaka has promised to give us a temporary side for the takeoff of the college. I start discussing with them all this with a view to boosting food security in the area and the state in general.”

He said Gadaka is notable in farming since North East people from Asia, that is, Arab people, used to come and buy groundnuts from Gadaka, adding that the area is close to Ngaji water. He said if the college is established, the lecturers will have access to research either in fisheries or agriculture, and they will also advise the farmers on how to improve their farming.

“I am also appealing to His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, to upgrade our maternity health clinic to the General Hospital status; the federal comprehensive health center we have is too small to cater to the needs of our people, so that our people would have access to easy health facilities.

“We are lucky enough Yobe State House of Assembly committee on health and Commissioner of Health have visited the maternity health center Gadaka and recommended it. I am appealing to the Inspector General of Police and Yobe state government to establish Police Divisional Headquarters in Gadaka where DPO will be posted; the outpost we have now is too small to cater to or combat the rate of crimes in the area. We have a number of populations, the wide of the land; therefore, there is a need for Divisional Police Headquarters in Gadaka.” He added.

Insect Invasion: An appeal from a council chairman in Yobe