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Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed some strategic plans of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on food security.
Shettima who delivered the 13th convocation lecture of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin spoke on the themed ‘Addressing Nigeria’s Food Security Challenges Through Hi-Tech Approach: The Role of Nigerian Universities’.
He said “Nigeria’s reliance on oil since the early 70s and the neglect of the agricultural sector were responsible for what has today become a national security challenge in the form of food insecurity.
“The challenge assumed a disturbing proportion as a result of policy inconsistencies, mismanagement of resources, corruption, climate change, insurgencies, and natural disasters, among others.
He said “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands the nexus between food production and national security, and has declared a state of emergency on food security alongside a policy commitment to improve productivity by injecting more funds in the sector.
“Tertiary institutions are playing critical roles in assisting the Federal Government to promote food security in Nigeria through research and the integration of agricultural study in their curriculum, the vice president said.
L-R: Vice Chancellor Al-Hikmah University, Prof. Noah Yusuf; founder Al-Hikmah University, Alhaji Chief AbdulRaheem Oladimeji; Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima; Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; and Deputy Governor Kwara State, Mr Kayode Alabi; during the 13th Convocation ceremony of Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin Kwara State, on Saturday.
He further said that “no appreciable progress can be made in agricultural production without mechanization, calling for increased and efficient use of modern technology to maximize yield.”
The Vice president was welcomed into the state at Tunde Idiagbon Airport, by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, his deputy Kayode Alabi, APC leaders, founder of the Al-Hikmah University Chief AbdulRaheem Oladimeji and the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Noah Yusuf among other dignitaries.
Shettima also commissioned some projects in the institution including Nursing Science Complex, which has been named after him.
Speaking about the cultural composition of Ilorin, which he said exemplified a spirit of brotherhood, Shettima said Nigeria had a lot to learn from the ancient city, calling on all indigenes of Ilorin to continue to be tolerant and supportive of one another.
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