The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) is seeking a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to enhance food security initiatives.
During a visit to Abuja on Friday, NSE President, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala met with the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari to discuss the potential collaboration.
Kyari expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, recognizing the NSE as a leading professional body with significant expertise.
He highlighted that leveraging the NSE’s capabilities aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s priority of developing sustainable food systems to combat the country’s long standing food production challenges.
“The NSE is a blue-chip society with substantial expertise, and the ministry will leverage its capacity to achieve government goals on food security,” Kyari stated.
He pointed out that the pandemic, recurring flooding, insecurity, and the recent currency redesign have negatively impacted food production.
He emphasized that a new strategy is essential, noting that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security upon assuming office.
Oguntala emphasized the importance of pragmatic and proactive measures to address food security challenges.
She reaffirmed the NSE’s commitment to supporting the ministry’s initiatives to boost food production, underscoring the society’s role in facilitating growth, poverty reduction, and overall human well-being.
However, during the meeting, Oguntala announced the NSE’s 2024 International Engineering Conference, Exhibition, and Annual General Meeting, themed “Sustainable Engineering Solutions to Food Security and Climate Change.”
She noted that the theme aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s determination to ensure food security in the country.
Furthermore, she expressed interest in partnering with the ministry on programs like Agriculture Entrepreneurial Development and other strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and innovation in the agricultural sector.