By Daniel Kanu
President Bola Tinubu has received praise over his renewed commitment towards ensuring food security in Nigeria.
The President, in his budget speech on Wednesday, had declared that ensuring food security for the people of Nigeria was not negotiable, assuring that the federal government has activated all processes for the realisation of that goal.
In reaction to Tinubu’s declaration, the Director of the Agricbusiness Incubation Centre (ABIC), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Dr. Philips Nto, commended the president for his efforts in the pursuit of food security.
Nto noted that with his recent commitments, Tinubu has left no one in doubt about his seriousness in tackling food insecurity and the spiralling consequences on the economy.
Dr. Nto, a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Abia State, was impressed that the federal government has also gone ahead to approve N30 billion for agricultural-based universities to strengthen them in mechanised farming.
The ABIC Director was pleased that the government is collaborating with universities in the march to increase food production through research, innovation, and technologies.
He said that the setting up of Agribusiness Incubation Centres in some universities by the federal government was a masterstroke that would lead to an agricultural revolution in the country.
According to him, by training farmers in modern methods of agriculture with the available opportunities, the centres will realise Tinubu’s vision of food security.
He expressed satisfaction that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has bought into the president’s food security agenda by providing support to universities like Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Dr. Nto disclosed that MOUAU, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has also keyed into the vision of the president by working closely with TETFUND.
“ABIC, MOUAU, on behalf of our progressive VC, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo, appreciates the gesture of TETFUND under Arc. Sunny Echono in collaborating with the centre to achieve the mandate of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as it concerns food security,” he declared.