“In the first two decades of this century, we have seen significant shifts across the globe. Whether it is in security, trade, technology, global warming or population demographics, the world has truly changed.”
President Muhammadu Buhari, who made these observations when he parley with participants of Course 39 from the National Institute for Policy and Strategy Study (NIPSS), Kuru, in Jos, Plateau State, said that Nigeria should not be isolated from these trends.
“We are doing our best to respond to these changes. But we cannot be comfortable with just being a passive nation. We must be proactive.”
The President recalled that a year ago, during his interaction with the Participants of the Senior Executive Course No.38, he tasked the Management of the National Institute with the responsibility of looking at Science, Technology and Innovation for the Development of Agriculture and Agro-Allied Industries.”
He expressed satisfaction that the proposal he made then had been adopted as the theme for Senior Executive Course 39.
“The National Institute was created as a policy formation center where senior Nigerians from all segments of society work together with the common goal of making Nigeria better.
“I am pleased that the Participants of Course 39 focused on how Nigeria can address its Food Security Challenges leveraging Science, Technology and Innovation.
“I have listened attentively to the presentation by the Course Participants and I am glad that the findings and policy recommendations are apt and implementable.
“As I mentioned in my budget speech just 2 weeks ago, “only tailored Nigerian solutions can fix Nigeria’s unique problems”. I am proud to say your report is in agreement with that.”
President Buhari said that Nigeria is currently recording significant successes in Agriculture and food security, adding: “however, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must develop strategies to sustain this momentum.”
He assured them that the economic management team of his government would carefully study the report which the guests submitted to him with a view to working towards implementing its recommendations.
He said that his government will also continue to address the challenges of the National Institute in both infrastructure and manpower for improved performance.
