President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja presided over the meeting of the National Food Security Council prior to its inauguration by him later in the day.
The meeting, which began at about 12.00 noon in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa is attended by all members of the Council.
Those, who are attending the meeting include the governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ebonyi and Delta states.
Others are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari; the National Security Adviser, retired Babagana Monguno and seven ministers.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olanisakin; governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); directors-general of the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency as well as the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service were in attendance.
The objectives of the Council include, developing sustainable solutions to farmers/herdsmen clashes; climate change and desertification.
The Council is also to appraise the impact of the issues on farmlands, grazing areas and lakes, rivers and other water bodies; oil spillage and its impact on Niger Delta fishing communities and agricultural research institutions and extension services.
It Council is also expected to take interest in regional and global policies and trends that bear implications for food security in Nigeria as well as address the problem of smuggling, piracy and banditry.
On March 13, Buhari at a meeting with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Rice Millers Association and Rice Distributors, including the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefile and governors of Jigawa and Kebbi, Abubakar Badaru and Atiku Bagudu, respectively, announced the establishment of the council. (NAN)
