According to the presidential spokesman, the council, which will be chaired by the President, will be inaugurated on Monday, March 19, 2018.
President Buhari has approved the constitution of the membership of the National Food Security Council.
This was revealed on Twitter by the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu.
Buhari had earlier told newsmen that he will inaugurate the council, which is aimed at achieving the nation’s quest for food security, and to ensure efficiency in the agricultural sector of the economy.
He said “Our experiences today of clashes between farmers and herdsmen or the challenges fishermen face due to global warming and other environmental factors clearly demonstrates that our quest for food security has a direct link to our national security objectives.
“The Food Security Council will ensure alignment and bring efficiencies.
“I want to assure all Nigerians that this administration is committed to Nigeria feeding itself. And from what I have heard today this can happen in not too distant future.”
According to Shehu, the council, which will be chaired by the President, will be inaugurated on Monday, March 19, 2018.
He said “The Council, to be chaired by the President, will be inaugurated on Monday. It will have as members, the Governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ebonyi and Delta States.
“Other Members are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; the Chief of Staff to the President; the National Security Adviser and seven (7) cabinet Ministers.
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“The Ministers to be represented are for Agriculture and Rural Development; Finance; Interior; Industry, Trade and Investment; Water Resources; Environment; and Budget and National Planning.”
“The National Food Security Council will also have as Members, the Chief of Defence Staff; the Gov. of @cenbank; the Directors-General of the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency as well as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service,” he added.
Council’s objective
According to the presidential spokesman, “the objectives of the Council will include, developing sustainable solutions to the farmers–herdsmen clashes; Climate Change and Desertification and their impact on farmland; grazing areas and lakes, rivers and other water bodies; oil spillage and its impact on Niger Delta Fishing Communities; piracy and banditry; agricultural research institutions and extension services and the problem of smuggling.”
Shehu added that “the Council will also take interest in regional and global policies and trends that bear implications for food security in Nigeria.”
The Federal Government recently released about N43.92 billion (122 million dollars) to 300,000 rice farmers to increase Nigeria’s rice production by additional two million tonnes in 2018.
Buhari: President approves membership of National Food Security Council
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