By Stella Odueme
As Nigerians battle with the rising prices of foodstuffs acriss the country, the federal government has reiterated its commitment to tackle food insecurity.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said this while playing host to a delegation from the National Defence College, Kenya, led by Major General (Rtd) Stephen Mutuku, in his Office, in Abuja.
A statement at the weekend said he revealed that the Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security have been mandated by President Boka Tinubu to focus on the key issue of tackling food insecurity, adding that this present administration is poised to develop Nigeria’s agriculture, which was the reason for changing the name from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to underscore his sincerity of purpose, identify food security as a very major plan of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Abdullahi pointed out that the Renewed Hope Agenda has 8 points to include food security, poverty eradication, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, and inclusivity, amongst others.
“Food security is directly our major focus, we are to act in a manner that we are able to engender the growth of our economy through diversification and most importantly creating jobs for our teeming youths.
“We are to also promote inclusivity because in agriculture, if you are able to bring in women, for example, into various value chains of your activities, you will definitely increase the productivity of that sector,” he said.
The Minister also decried the current post harvest losses, which has led to low yield for the country’s farmers, pointing out that if this trend is controlled, it would also lead to an increase in productivity.
He added that come year 2025, the Ministry will be having more programmes coming on board with target beneficiaries, expected deliverables, and outcomes.
The Minister congratulated the team for being part of the National Defence College which is a very prestigious institution noting that in every country, the National Defence Colleges are definitely prestigious Institutions and expects nothing less “than looking at national security strategy and how it will help improve nation’s, regional and the overall global security.
Earlier in his remarks, Major General (Rtd), Stephen Mutuku stated that the group was one of the five other groups, pointing out that this particular group, Course No 27, was visiting the western region and their purpose was to learn and see what Nigeria have pertaining to security and strategy.
He added that for the team, the National Security and Strategy, Food Security was actually the core because without it, the bearers would be jeopardized.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of plaque and National Defence College Newsletter to the Hon. Minister of State.
