FG will achieve food security through research – Onu

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, on Thursday said the ministry would employ research to achieve food security in the nation.
Onu made the declaration in Abuja when a delegation from the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology paid him a courtesy call in his office.
The delegation was led by Dr Toyin Ajenifujah–Solebo, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the institute’s annual conference in October.
According to him, the ministry and other food inclined agencies under the ministry have determined to holistically look inwards to providing food security through appropriate scientific and technological innovation.
He said that the ministry had done a lot of research and innovation work in the areas of food production, processing, storage and safety.
Onu said that the present administration would not rest until Nigeria attained sufficient food production.
He said: “President Buhari’s administration is committed to strengthening national economy via innovative technologies.
“This will reduce import dependence, enhance local content and strengthen self-sufficiency.”
Onu said that nations of the world became great and eminent by utilising the enormous power of science and technology to attain remarkable achievements in industrialisation, economic prosperity and social harmony.
He said that it had become imperative that Nigeria should seek diversification of its economy in a sustainable and competitive manner by deploying science and technology as the instrument for economic growth.
Earlier, Solebo said that the passage of Bill on National Council of Food Science and Technology Act presented by the National Assembly would strengthen the institute.
Solebo said: “This will enable NIFST to ensure that we have the right professionals within the food sector.
“It will also ensure that food production processes are carried out under proper hygienic conditions.”
According to her, the bill will also empower the body to regulate the activities in the sector and ensure adequate food security and provide safety nets in the country.
Solebo informed the minister that the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology would organise an annual general conference in Abuja from Oct. 22 to October 25.
She said that the theme of the conference would be “Rejuvenating the Nigerian Economy through Promotion of the Food Value Chain”.