The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Food Security Council

  • FG approves N27.4bn for victims of conflicts, insecurity, flooding

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N27.4billion as intervention funds for states affected by conflicts, insecurity and flooding across the country.

    The Vice-President of the National Food Security Council and Gov.  Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, disclosed this at the end of the Council’s meeting, which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Bagudu said that the council’s approval followed the submission and subsequent consideration of two memos from the national food security council.

    The council, chaired by President Buhari, was inaugurated in March 2018 by him.

    The governor revealed that N8.58billion of the amount (N27.4billion) was approved for 69,872 victims of conflicts and insecurity in Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

    According to him, the intervention includes provision of fertiliser, seedlings, chemicals, poultry and animals to enable the victims resume economic activity.

    “First, it approved the intervention for states that have been affected by conflicts and insecurity, where many have been displaced from their homes and some are living in Internally Displaced Persons camps.

    “While support has been given in terms of accommodation, food, welfare, the national food security council considered the importance of helping them restore their livelihood activities, particularly agricultural activity.

    “Council approved the memo by Mr President and approved N8,558,529,755 for intervention in Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

    “The beneficiaries are estimated to be about 69,872 people. The intervention includes provision of fertiliser, seedlings, chemicals, poultry and animals to enable them resume economic activity,’’ he said.

    The governor also stated that the remaining balance of  N18,942,818, 912 was approved for 14 states of the federation that were severely affected by flooding in the country.

    “Secondly, council considered and approved the submission, which originated from national food security council on states that have been severely affected by flooding.

    “It is not an exhaustive list because the National Emergency Management Agency statutorily provides all states that experience one emergency or the other.

    “Last year, there was unusual amount of flooding in some states about 14 of them and the national food security council considered the impact of that flooding on the agricultural sector, food security, animal husbandry and fisheries.

    “And so, today the council approved an intervention totalling N18,942,818,912.14,” he said.

    Bagudu said that contracts would be awarded to 15 companies to provide seedlings, agro chemicals and fertilisers to 163,117 beneficiaries located in 14 states.

    He gave the names of the affected states to include Adamawa, Anambra, Beyelsa, Benue, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto and Taraba.

    The governor maintained that, as part of the work of national food security council, other interventions were being worked upon for the fishing communities and also the livestock sector.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the broad objectives of the National Food Security Council include developing sustainable solutions to the farmers/herdsmen clashes, as well as climate change and desertification and their impact on farmland.

    The Council also aims to address the issues of 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. (NAN)

  • FEC okays N27.4b for states affected by flooding, conflicts

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday approved N27.4 billion for intervention in states ravaged by flooding and conflicts.

    This was disclosed by the Kebbi State Governor and Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council, Atiku Bagudu.

    He briefed State House correspondents after about seven hours FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that the FEC approved N18.9 billion for intervention in 14 states ravaged by flooding.

    Noting that the list of the states is not exhaustive, he said that the intervention will take the form of seedlings, fertilizers among other items.

    According to him, 163,117 beneficiaries will be covered in 14 states.

    He said that FEC approved N8.5 billion for intervention in states ravaged by conflicts.

    Among the beneficiary states, he said, included Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara.

    While 69,872 people will benefit from the intervention, he said that it will take the form of fertilizers, seedlings, feeding and accommodation.

  • 3.7m Nigerians are currently faced with food insecurity

    Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, says 3.7 million people in 16 out of the 36 states and FCT are currently faced with food insecurity.

    Abdullahi made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the Second Conference of the “Feed the future Nigeria agricultural policy project organised by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

    He noted that several factors drove the nations challenging food and nutrition outlook.

    Read Also: IYC to DSS chief: Beware of politicians

    He said it includes civic conflicts, climate change, and large scale of displacement, others are high food prices, poverty and high population amongst others.

    Abdullahi commended President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing  the National Food Security Council to address the challenges in the sector.

    He said to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security, there is need to maintain and strengthen the multi-sectoral approach to food security and nutritional policy.

    “We need to examine the intricacies of livelihoods issues of our citizens to design workable policy frameworks.

    “We also need to discuss the role of governance in achieving food security, creating space for interaction between different actors linked by common discourse,’’ he said.

    Abdullahi disclosed that the Eight Senate has passed several bills that would support the Nations food and nutrition security efforts.

    He observed that the issue of food security and nutrition is an urgent and continuous theme that must be daily emergency for any government.

    “Food security and nutrition must be tagged urgent because people, population and environmental dynamics will continue to make it so.

    “It must be continuous because survival is a continuous issue and so long as humanity exist the subject remains stuck with us,’’ he said.

    He said the move has become imperative because food security has been identified as a huge problem in Nigeria, as the country ranked 84th out of 119 countries on the global hunger index.

    Abdullahi said Nigeria came in just below the Republic of Congo.

    The three day conference is being attended by 100 experts from various sectors of agriculture to work on collaborative research for agricultural policy in Nigeria.

  • Herdsmen/farmers clashes may worsen without ranches – Food Council

    The National Food Security Council warned on Monday that the deadly clashes between farmers and herdsmen could get worse next year if efforts are not intensified to create cattle ranches or provide better security against rustling in the country.

    The Council chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari and inaugurated on March 26, gave the warning in Abuja.

    At a meeting which took place at the Presidential Villa and chaired by Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, the Council also charged the President to quickly approve the establishment and training of agro-rangers as special unit to assist security agencies check the fatal clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    Others at the meeting were Governors Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

    Six ministers – Audu Ogbe (Agriculture), Kemi Adeosun (Finance), Okechukwu Enelamah (Trade and Investment), Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Interior), Ibrahim Jibril (Environment), Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources) and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, also attended the meeting.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Ogbeh, said: “We have to move the cattle to the good old grazing reserves and we just have to create environment for them; clusters of ranches where they have water, grass and security against rustlers.

    “For nearly 40 years we didn’t do much about cattle, we also forgot that cattle contribute six percent to GDP. The cheapest way of rearing cattle is by roaming around with them as you see now. If you go into a ranch it is not cheap and government cannot subsidize cattle rearing like they do in Europe, where they subsidize every cow with €6 which is about N2,400. We cannot afford that.

    “So, the thing is to create those ranches and the herdsmen are prepared to pay tax to support the programme. If we don’t do it, next year will be worse than this year I assure you.”

     

     

  • Buhari inaugurates Food Security Council

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated the National Food Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The President, who received over three hours briefing before the inauguration proper, chairs the Council, while Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, is the Vice Chairman.

    The President promised that new measures and projects are being developed to create more jobs in farming, fisheries, animal husbandry and forestry.

    He said Nigeria’s journey in the last three years has been a very turbulent one.

    He said: “Two weeks ago, I announced my intention to establish and chair a presidential level committee that focuses on food security, I am happy that today it has become a reality.

    “Nigeria’s journey in the last three years has been a very turbulent one. The country’s need for critical job creating sectors which has been ignored for decades is now beginning to yield results.

    “We introduced the National Social Investment Programs targeting millions of Nigerians who are living from hand to mouth.

    “We launched agricultural programs focusing on import substitution, job creation and rural development thereby bringing socio-economic transformation to millions of citizens living in some of the most remote rural parts of our country.

    “We commenced the long term Pollution Remediation Projects in the Niger Delta with the hope of restoring dignity and normalcy to the millions of Nigerians impacted by decades of pollution in their communities.  Fishing and farming will resume once blighted areas are rehabilitated.

    “We intensified our participation in the Lake Chad Basin Commission with the goal of reversing the shrinkage of the lake, which impacts the livelihoods of over 45 million farmers, herdsmen and fishermen in the LCBC countries.

    “We issued the first ever green bond that will act as a catalyst for investments in renewable energy and afforestation projects. This was oversubscribed, sharing market confidence in the country and our government.

    “We established the Agro Rangers Unit within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to protect the billions of naira of investments recorded in Nigeria’s agricultural sector across the country.

    “We continued to equip the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to fight maritime criminals such as pirates and sea robbers who adversely impact offshore and inland fishing activities in our waters.

    “These programs and many more, have started yielding results and if sustained, will transform the lives of millions of Nigerians across the country.”

     

     

  • Private sector to play advisory role in Food Council – Presidency

    The Presidency said on Monday the private sector would play an advisory role in the National Food Security Council recently announced by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said President Buhari was aware of the huge interest indicated by the private sector since the composition of the Council was announced as well as the reservations expressed by groups left out in the arrangement.

    He said: “We wish to emphasise that the Council constituted by the President was more of a think tank that would focus mainly on policy, while various groups from the private sector would be called upon to make sectoral presentations from time to time.

    “Everybody will be carried along as the Council will work closely with all stakeholders.

    “The Council will be inaugurated by President Buhari on Monday, March 26.”

  • Buhari approves establishment of National Food Security Council

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the constitution of the membership of the National Food Security Council.

    The Council, to be chaired by the President, will be inaugurated on Monday.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President,  Garba Shehu, said Governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ebonyi and Delta States are members of the Council.

    Other members include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; the Chief of Staff to the President; the National Security Adviser and seven cabinet ministers.

    The ministers to be represented in the Council are for Agriculture and Rural Development; Finance; Interior; Industry, Trade and Investment; Water Resources; Environment; and Budget and National Planning.

    The Chief of Defence Staff; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); the Directors-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) as well as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are other members of the Council.

    The broad 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.

  • Buhari to head National Food Security Council

    President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday he would head the National Food Security Council to be inaugurated very soon.

    The Council will also include state governors, ministers and other stakeholders in the food value chain.

    The President stated these during meeting with key stakeholders in the rice value chain.

    He said: “I will be inaugurating a National Food Security Council that I will personally chair. The council will include governors, ministers, security agencies and key stakeholders across the entire agricultural segments of farming, fisheries and livestock management.

    “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.”

    He congratulated the farmers, the processors and the rice dealers for all the successes achieved to date.

    Buhari added: “Specifically, I want to thank you for believing in this administration and our commitment to economic diversification and inclusive growth.

    “Your investments of over N300 billion are located in some of the most remote, and indeed, most forgotten parts of the country. And a significant percentage of these investments were made during the recession. This shows you have great confidence in our policies and programs.

    “Thankfully, Nigerians have now woken up to the fact that it is an embarrassment for us, as a nation, to import most of what we eat, given the great natural gifts of our country.

    “We have the fertile land, we have water and the manpower to feed ourselves.  Therefore, we have no reason to import essential foodstuffs.

    “When we came in 2015, there were 13 rice mills in Nigeria. 12 of these were built between 2009 and 2015. This was an average of two mills per annum.

    “But my team and I felt more could be done. And we put in place measures and policies to unlock the potential of this sector and thus, increase the rate of investments.”

    The President said he would soon commission a sugar estate.

    “These projects are all over the country and worth billions of Naira. Clearly, our policies are working.

    “From your presentation today, you have shown that between 2016 and 2018, eight new rice mills have come on stream. This is equivalent to four new mills per annum. Our paddy production and productivity has also doubled compared to 2014 levels.

    “I am particularly proud of how the narrative has changed. Agriculture is now seen as a financially viable sector. Many Nigerians, especially the youth, are choosing agriculture as a profession.

    “We have former governors, ministers, legislators and major entrepreneurs moving into agriculture. Not as a hobby. But as a viable business that will generate income.

    “The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding today between the farmers, millers and rice dealers is the natural next step,” he stated.