Gov. Diri encourages youth to focus on agriculture as rice only eaten once a year in Bayelsa

Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa state shared his thoughts on rice consumption this Thursday as a guest on the breakfast programme, Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“Before now, rice here in Bayelsa, it was eaten once in a year. It was seen as food for the rich, today the story is different. Rice is like a daily thing at everybody’s table,” he said.

Gov Diri was asked if, in his childhood, rice was seen as such a scarce staple, he answered, “I don’t know of other part of Nigeria but here in Bayelsa, rice was not a common food, rice was eaten once in Christmas, maybe for some average home, every Sunday.”

The governor has stated that agriculture is a top priority for his administration and that he encourages youth to get involved.

“Agriculture is a priority for this government, we are working hard to have a change of mindset of our youths to key into Agriculture. Tomorrow, the Akwa Ibom governor is coming into Bayelsa to flag off the farming season. He will also superintend over the Made-in-Bayelsa Agriculture show.

“Oil is almost going; we cannot continue to live (be dependent) on oil. The focus of this government is agriculture. Let us all key into agriculture,” Mr Diri said.

The Chief Convener of the Youth groups, Ebilade Ekerefe, shares his support of the governor, “Governor Diri has intervened in many areas of the state. On health, education, sports, agriculture; etc. This has greatly impacted on the human capacity development of the state.”