The new Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari has reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring food security in Nigeria.
Kyari stated this when he assumed office with his Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, on Monday in Abuja.
He said that there is a big challenge to food security, adding however, that it is surmountable.
The minister said that he saw hope and commitment in President Bola Tinubu when he declared food emergency in the country, and made huge commitment to revive agriculture and secure the nation’s food.
“It’s a long road to where I am seated here, I think it started 27 years ago.
” I won’t bore you with history, all I can say is I am ready and I am willing to commit 100 per cent to the service of this nation.
” We all know the challenges that we face now. Hunger is one of the big problems that we have in this country.
” And when I say hunger, it also means food and there are challenges in production, and insecurity is one and flooding is another,” he said.
According to him, there are other issues but for me, and I think my colleagues and even state governors, the biggest hope we have is the political will driven by the President in his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
” l also see that hope and commitment in him when he declared the food emergency in the country.
” Out target is not only to secure food and feed the country but also to export food which we have the potentials to and it is just there ready to be tapped,” he said.
In his remarks, the minister of state said that the re-christianing of the ministry is not without a purpose.
” The President has already declared emergency on food security and I am sure when we get down to work, we will understand the import of our mission,” he said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, said it was an added plus to have both Kyari and Abdullahi as ministers in the ministry.
” They have come with their wealth of experience to add value to this ministry.
“You will take us higher and higher.
” We are a crop of dedicated staff and we commit 100 per cent to all your policies and policy direction,” Umakhihe said.
NAN
