OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY AMB. IBRAHIM GAMBARI CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

CC:
President Muhammadu Buhari
Professor Yemi Osinbajo
Senator. Ahmed Lawan Senate President
The Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Senator. Abdullahi Adamu
The Chairman APC caretaker committee.

APPEAL FOR SPEEDY APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF YOUTHS/FARMERS INVOLVED IN THE AGRICULTURE FOR FOOD AND JOBS PLAN (AFJP) PROGRAMME:

Your Excellency, unbehalf of the over 30,000 youth workforce and the over 5million registered AFJP farmers I would like to specially appreciate your deligence in ensuring a thorough check and exercising oversight over the AFJP programme.

your have truly demonstrated great passion and an unusual commitment in sustaining Mr. President's anti-corruption agenda and upholding his vision of a rapid and sustainable development in the Agricultural sector of the economy. Your effort is highly commendable and worthy of emulation by all within the coffers of power and indeed Nigerian youths.

The President's recent unveiling of the largest rice pyramid in world history and the country's leadership position as the largest rice producer in Africa among other notable achievement are all tastement of the diligent effort of your likes in eradicating the systematic corruption that affect our growth as a people.

Your Excellency I'll like to go straight to the salient points that nacessitated this letter.

We were reliably informed of the army of saboteurs who claimed there was no Farmers Enumeration under the AFJP programme and the subsequent investigation that ensued by the EFCC and other agencies all at your behest.

As one of the foot soldier of that endeavor alongside other 30,000 Nigerian youths work force enlisted and the over 11,000 active participant I hereby testify that Nigerian youth have gone under the rain and sun, traveled to unimaginable distant villages and creeks to Enumerate and collate the Geo spatial information and details of Farmers whom the programme promised improved seedlings and fertilizers as well as subsidies and 0% interest loans.

In the process of undertaking this critical national assingment some sustained injuries from snake bites, motor accident, boat accident and some were infected with malaria/typhoid fever, fatique and others hospitalised due to the tedious demands of the job.

This is all in an efforts to serve in a programme that we believe would rapidly yield improve agricultural productivity and contribute to the livelihood of millions of smallholder farmers in our communities.

In one instance we heard of one of our colleque who had to pay the supreme price when unknown to him he traveled to serve his father's land in a bandit enclave. (Subject to verification)

You Excellency Sir, The AFJP design and plan which was conceived by the Preident's special Adviser on Agriculture Dr. Andrew Kwasari in technical collaboration with fmardpace and the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN has the potential to be a game changer in rural Agri-financing and development, it would practically lift millions of Nigerians from the poverty line if sustained.

Your Excellency Sir, our prayers is for you to use your good office as a matter of urgency to speedly give approval for :

1. The Immediate payment of the entitlement of Nigerian youths who worked as Enumerators under the AFJP programme.

2. Pay subsidies to small holder farmers who were sidelined during the last exercise.

3. Pay the promised Agri-input loans to registered farmers to improve Agricultural productivity.

Thank you
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thomas Yahaya Avong
Keffi Local Government
Nasarawa state.
Nigeria.
07037744500
avongyahaya@gmail.co

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