The NAERLS Management team, lead by the Director, Professor Mohammed Khalid Othman, were in Abuja on Tuesday 22th November 2017 in a crucial interaction meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in his office. The team was introduced to the Honourable Minister by Hajia Karima Babangida, the Director of Federal Department of Agriculture Extension.
In the approximately 75-minute meeting, the NAERLS Director gave a PowerPoint presentation on NAERLS mandate, contributions to agricultural development in Nigeria and prospects. He mentioned in particular the imperative to fast-tract the full operation of the National Farmers Helpline to boost quality and timely agricultural information dissemination to the nation’s over 65 million farmers. He also spoke on the efforts of the Institute towards the establishment of a Satellite Agricultural TV station for the country, as well as the need to establish the Nigerian branch of Global Youth Institute as a strategic approach to increasing youth participation in agriculture.
At the end of the presentation, the Minister appreciated the initiative to hold such a crucial interaction with the Institute and hinted that he would ensure that such interaction window is used more frequently, especially with NAERLS. He also stated the Ministry’s readiness and willingness to help the Institute achieve its mandate of collating, proving and disseminating improved agricultural innovations to Nigerian farmers.
The vising NAERLS team also included the Deputy Director, Professor Emmanuel Ikani, the two Assistant Directors, Professor CK Daudu and Professor YA Sani; the Institute Secretary, Mal Aliyu Sule; the Finance Officer, Comrade IA Bello; and heads of departments– Dr Isah Annatte, Dr Mohammed Jaliya, Dr BM Sani, Dr YM Abdullahi, Dr Adamu Yakubu, Dr. H Dikko and Mal. SU Tsauri. Also present were Professor TJ Arokoyo and members of the Institute’s Public Relations Unit.
As a kind gesture, the visiting team presented the Ahmadu Bello University souvenirs to the Minister, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ibrahim Garba.
