THE BASKET IS VIRTUALLY EMPTY By Haanya Aondoakura

THE BASKET IS VIRTUALLY EMPTY

Haanya Aondoakura
4/10/16 (My Memorial post)
Before now, 'Benue' was known and referred to as FOOD BASKET OF THE NATION, without much ado the state fit-in the status-quo of feeding the whole Country.
Benue State was created on 3 February 1976 . It was one of the seven states created by the military administration headed by General Murtala Mohammed, which increased the number of states in
the country from 13 to 19, as of then it was known for its rich agricultural produce and was the best place to reckon with in term of variety of Farm produce.
In short and clear terms Benue was the Home of Sweat Food reaching from Orange, Mangoes, Tomatoes, Rice, and Yam etc.
Then, the Basket was intact and with shape until 1999 when Farmers shift tent to Politics which was and is seen as an avenue of acquiring wealth without Sun or Rain.
The newly married Wife "Politics" became the 'Happening Trend', people no longer have time to farm and farmers instead of concentrating on their farming will most a time abandoned farm for political gathering which was as a result of persuasive messages broadcast on various mediums and town-criers about selfish politicians who after winning election will abscond.
Our new Wife "Politics" brought Thuggery, Kidnapping, Hunger and Terrorism in Benue state, Youths who supposed to involve in Modern Agricultural Farming has Turn to Personal Assistants, Advisers and Thugs for politicians.
Politics has taken the place of Agricultural Produce in the Basket, but it is disheartening to state that even in the so called Politics we are not known or recognized at the Federal level, our acclaimed political leaders are mere "Political House Boy" at the federal level.
At home they claimed to be Kingmakers but at the Federal level where everything happens there are seen as Palace Guards. Politics has brought Us nothing but Death, Poverty, and Backwardness.
Benue which was known for Groundnut can no longer boast of it, Soya beans has become a Hot Cake, and Yams no longer flows like before.
At the Federal level we are no more recognized and was just allocated one slot of ministerial appointment despite our Population and massive votes during elections.
Now that Nigeria is making moves to returned back to Agriculture, this is also another opportunity for Us to regain back Our Lost glory and status-quo of FOOD BASKET OF THE NATION.