The Presidency has affirmed that the private sector will play an advisory role in the National Food Security Council recently announced by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The president said he 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.
The president’s declaration is contained in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu.
The president explained that the council 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.
He said everybody would be carried along as the Council would work closely with all stakeholders.
The Council, the statement said, would be inaugurated by President Buhari on Monday, March 26.
Buhari, last week, approved the constitution of the membership of the National Food Security Council.
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The approval came days after the federal government announced its intention to set up the council.
The council, to be chaired by the president, will have as members, the 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.
The ministers to be represented are for 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; the Directors-General of the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency as well as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Shehu said the broad objectives of the council would 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.