Biography

Abba Ruma, Biography.

Abba Sayyadi Ruma

Abba Sayyadi Ruma was born on March 13, 1962. He is from Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Abba Ruma attended the University of Sokoto where he obtained a Bachelor in Arts

degree in History. He went further to get his masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Ph.D in International Relations from the University of Abuja. It is also worthy to note that He also holds a Senior Executive Fellowship Certificate from the John. F. Kennedy School of Government Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America.

Abba Ruma started his working career as information Officer in Katsina and rose steadily to a position of Special Adviser to the Governor of Katsina, Saidu Barda in 1992. He later became Secretary to the State Government in 2003 when Umaru Musa Yar,Adua was Governner before he was appointed Minister of State in the Federal Ministry of Education in 2005 under Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili. He is Chairman of the Governing Council of International Fund for Agricultural Development [IFAD] headquartered in Rome, Italy. Notably, Dr. Ruma is a UNESCO Partner Minister.

Between 1999 and 2003, Abba Sayyadi Ruma became the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rascom Network Ltd, a company based in Kaduna that consults on research and development.

In 2003, Abba Sayyadi Ruma became the Chairman of Batsari Local Government Area in Katsina State and strongly supported the PDP candidates. He is married to Hajiya Rabi and they are blessed with children.

In the year 2007, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua appointed Dr. Abba Ruma Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources. He however left office in March 2010 when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved his cabinet.

In May 2008, Abba Ruma denied reports that Nigeria was suffering from a food crisis, saying the only problem was with the rising cost of rice. He defended his ministry's decision to centralize distribution of fertilizer rather than relying on private enterprise, and noted that the government was taking action to improve access to credit by farmers and to supply more tractors. But the government would import rice if needed to cushion cost increases. In July 2009, talking to a stakeholders' roundtable of the National Food Security Advocacy Group, he said that in the past middlemen contractors and politicians skimmed off subsidies for fertilizers which did not get to the farmers in time for the planting season, and then were grossly overpriced.

Speaking to journalists in November 2009 on the government?s Public Private Partnership in the area of rice production, Abba Ruma explained the government was looking at linking up large-scale private sector operators with farmer's cooperative groups to achieve economies of scale, and was providing funds for small-scale irrigation with focus on the most productive areas. N200 billion was available for farmer's credit, but release of the funds would be carefully monitored to ensure it went to the intended recipients.

Also in the interview, on when asked how he saw the future of Nigeria?s revenue base?, he has this to say:

?With the vagaries of the international oil market and the current global financial crisis, the need for Nigeria to diversify her income base cannot be overemphasized. The dwindling external earnings occasioned by the slide in oil prices and the restiveness of youths in the Niger Delta definitely have telling effects on Nigeria?s finances and her development plans. The rural dwellers that constitute the majority of the nation?s population are being further driven into poverty by both the global food and financial crises. Government?s basic responsibility to its people is to alleviate poverty and promote development and there is no other way of achieving these than by diversifying the economy. This is what informed government?s determination to redouble efforts in agric development.?

Again on what he attributes as challenges to agricultural development in Nigeria? He says:

?In the 1960s and up to the early 1970s, Nigeria?s agriculture flourished. The country was one of the world?s highest producers of palm oil, cocoa, and groundnut. However, the sector experienced decline over time. Although agriculture remains the dominant sector in the rural areas of Nigeria, it provides employment for about 60% of the work force, the agricultural potential of Nigeria is barely being tapped and this explains the inability of the country to meet the ever increasing demand for agricultural produce.?

On how it can be addressed? He adds: ?The government realizes that despite the neglect suffered in past years, agriculture still contributes significantly to internal revenue and has the potential of solving the nation?s unemployment problems. The present administration is committed to the vision and mission of IFAD which seeks to eradicate rural poverty. IFAD, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, basically supports small-holder farmers and rural development projects. Serious investment is needed across the board to enhance production and increase the contribution of the sector to GDP and also meet the target of earning at least 50 per cent of foreign exchange in the nearest future. With recent efforts of government, in attaining food security, the sector is on the road to regaining its past glory.?

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Biography