The presidency yesterday said that the private sector would play an advisory role in the National Food Security Council recently announced by President Muhammadu Buhari. Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja, said the President 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 that felt left out.
It reads: “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, which would be inaugurated by President Buhari next week, would be chaired by himself while having as members 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 cabinet ministers. Ministers to be represented were those of 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 Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Directors-General of the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency as well as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
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. The council will also take interest in regional and global policies and trends that bear implications for food security in Nigeria.