Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stated on Tuesday that his administration is enacting policies and programmes designed to empower youth, researchers, and agripreneurs in order to boost value addition, improve market access, and strengthen food security.

The Governor confirmed that over 10,000 farmers in the state have so far benefited from the distribution of essential farm equipment, including tractors, ploughs, processors, and various other implements.

Governor AbdulRazaq made his remarks at the 25th International Conference and 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) and the inaugural National Agricultural Machinery Exhibition. The event took place at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Idofian, Ifelodun local government.

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, delivered the keynote speech at the event, which was also attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, alongside numerous engineers and dignitaries from across the nation.

Separately, Governors AbdulRazaq and Zulum later attended the official commissioning of the Imam Gambari Ultra-modern Mosque in Ilorin, presided over by the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

AbdulRazaq commended the NIAE for its leading role in mechanisation and for laying a resilient foundation for Nigeria's agricultural transformation for over five decades.

"The NIAE has driven mechanisation with research and locally designed machines that cut costs, boost yields, and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers across Nigeria and beyond. Proudly domiciled here, NCAM remains a national powerhouse in machinery development," he said while declaring the conference open.

"In Kwara, we have mostly shifted agriculture from subsistence to full mechanisation, and your organisations have been the major enablers of this important leap.

"This gathering will definitely serve to share ideas about solutions to emerging issues, including the challenge of climate change, technology and global debate around GMOs, and the dynamic issues of land use among diverse economic groups."

AbdulRazaq thanked the NIAE as well as the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) for choosing Kwara as host, noting that the conference reaffirms "our shared commitment to innovation and food security."

He was presented with an Award of Excellence by the association in acknowledgement of his commitment to agricultural transformation.

The Governor, similarly, attended the official commissioning of the Imam Gambari Ultra-modern Mosque in Gambari, where eminent clerics led by Chief Imam Ilorin Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu and title holders in Ilorin Emirate were in attendance.

Accompanied by Prof Zulum and Kyari, the Governor was received by the Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of Ilorin, Alhaji Yakubu Garba Gobir, and APC chieftain Alhaji Abdulfatah Yahya Seriki.

The Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, had earlier performed the official commissioning of the magnificent mosque, which was first built in the first decade of 19th century.