AKSG Inaugurates 8-Member Agriculture, Food Security Committee

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
In pursuant to the agriculture and food sufficiency programme of the ARISE Agenda, the Akwa Ibom government has inaugurated an 8-member Agriculture and Food Security Committee to drive the course. 
The committee, headed by Professor Okon Ansa, a Plant Virologist and former commissioner for agriculture in the State, with the director of Agriculture Investment at the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, AKICORP, Mr. Ofonmbuk Nelson, as secretary, is to drive food revolution in Akwa Ibom, by reviewing the State’s food policies, and working closely with small holder farmers and other stakeholders to achieve food security and price stability.
The committee is saddled with the responsibility of designing data-based food production and processing system to ensure food availability through adequate food stock and feed stock for farmers in the State as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda as envisioned by the governor.
Other members of the committee are Professor Trenchard Ibia, Dr. Etemudo Udongo, Amb. Alphonsus Inyang, Professor Elizabeth Ebukiba, Pastor Godwin Ukwat, and the commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor. 
Inaugurating the committee, Wednesday, at the State Executive Council Chambers, Governor’s Office, Uyo, the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural revolution and tourism development as critical enablers of growth and progress.
Eno emphasised that the mandate of the committee does not conflict with that of the Ministry of Agriculture, pointing out that with the commissioner for agriculture as a member of the committee, synergy was required to ensure success.
The governor, who is a former executive director of the State’s Directorate of Agriculture Investment in the last administration, noted that the State is blessed with arable land and other resources needed for it to be self sufficient in food production, calling for synergy among relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired result.
While listing the State’s potential in agriculture, he observed that more work was required in the oil palm sector, charging the committee to recommit to the vision of agricultural revolution.
“Let’s see how we can reach out to every farmer in this State. Can you at the press of a button reach a farmer in Ini Local Government Area? Can you know the farmer in Mbo who is a fish farmer? Can we, as a State say to ourselves, this year, this is the kind of harvest we expect for cassava, for maize, for our fish and others?”
Eno restated his government’s plans to make the State a tourism hub, either through agriculture, sports, health, and other sectors, and urged the commissioner for sports to take advantage of the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival to work out modalities of having an annual sports festival in the State.
He congratulated members of the committee and expressed optimism that with their level of experiences and pedigree, they will bring their expertise to bear in their assigned responsibility and also deliver desired results. 
Eno described the committee as a very important one considering the premium placed on agriculture, food sufficiency and food security in the ARISE Agenda, adding that the members were one of the finest, the brightest and the best that the State has in agriculture.
“I would like to congratulate all of you members of Agricultural  and food security committee that is headed by a very erudite Professor. You are one of the finest, the brightest and the best that we have in agriculture in Akwa Ibom, and we need to be able to come together to protect agriculture seriously to chart a proper way forward”.
Accepting the task, on behalf of others, the chairman of the committee, Professor Ansa, described food security as the strength of any nation or people, while the strongest nations are also those that can feed themselves.
He appreciated the governor for considering them fit to serve the State through the committee and pledged their determination to put in their best to deliver on their mandate so that Akwa Ibom will move strongly towards food sufficiency and security.