President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a marching order to a committee within the Federal Executive Council to take further steps in crashing food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during his presentation at a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists covering the Senate.
Senator Abdullahi explained that the directive would be implemented through the safe passage of agricultural produce and commodities across various routes nationwide.
He added that the marching orders are part of President Tinubu’s vision of achieving food sovereignty in Nigeria.
The Minister clearly stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a marching order to a Federal Executive Council committee, which is already working on how to promote the safe passage of agricultural produce and commodities across various routes in the country.
“We are aware, and I’m sure as media, you are also aware, there are routes through which commodities are taken before they are delivered, if you know the amount of money that is being spent, you can now understand why those commodities have to be expensive at the point of delivery.
” So we are working very hard. We are doing quite a lot. But I’ve just given you a snippet because I’m here, and I felt we should look at that”.
On the vision of food sovereignty, Senator Abdullahi said it falls within the ambit of food security and food sufficiency, encompassing food availability, accessibility, affordability, and the right nutritional content on a sustainable basis.
He added that other programmes, such as the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and cooperative reforms, are being mapped out for implementation.
The senator further noted that another important aspect journalists should take serious notice of is the government’s effort to promote more cooperative reforms and revamped programmes.
Sabi Abdullahi emphasized that Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilization, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members.
He said the principle of cooperatives is clear, democratic, and very productive, adding that the sector is being reformed. He urged members of the corps to consider forming a cooperative.
Other speakers at the workshop, themed “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” included the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senator Ita Solomon Enang, and the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman.
Bashir M
