The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu played host to the team from the Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (FMARD) to the Corps Headquarters, Sauka, Abuja for a sensitization programme on Agri-business.

Receiving the team, the Commandant General of appreciated the visit and noted that, it was timely considering the fact that, Nigeria is just coming out of recession thereby pointing out that the solution to a distressed economy is Agriculture therefore, Nigeria has a comparative advantage in Agriculture.

He called on the Officers and Men of the Corps to embrace Agribusiness. Quoting the fifth schedule, section 2b of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which encourages Civil and Public servants to go into any business along the Agricultural value chain without the risk of divided loyalty.

Gana reiterated that, the relationship between the Corps and FMARD has gone a long way, owing to the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the Federal Ministry of Interior for the establishment of Agro-Rangers squad to protect the proposed cattle ranches across the Federation and the various Farms, Agro businesses and Investment of both foreign and local investors.

In a keynote address delivered by Senior Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ochinyabo Winifred; who represented the Honourable Minister, Audu Ogbe said, ”the strength of a Nation lies in her ability to feed herself”. When a nation cannot feed herself, it leaves her vulnerable. Similarly, the ability to feed oneself defines one’s individual strength”.

She also pointed out that in the old order, farmers do not only engage in farming practices, but also have to stay awake to protect their investments. This, in no small measure, undermines development of Agriculture in Nigeria. However, the Federal Government deemed it necessary in its policy strategy in the new order to further provide security for agricultural investment in Nigeria which thus orchestrated the formation of the Agro-Rangers and partnership with the Corps.

Extolling the announcement of the proposed deployment of a special unit of personnel of the Corps for the formation of -Agro Rangers, she said that NSCDC as an agency is further gaining attraction in enshrining the NSCDC dictum of ”Defending the defenceless”. That, the initiative will further increase the resonance of the efforts and results of achievements, NSCDC has been known for since inception.

The special team of experts also gave lectures in their various fields of endeavour in Agri-business ranging from government policies in Agriculture, plants and crops from various zones of comparative advantage to the rearing and breeding of livestock and the various opportunities that exist in the Agribusiness ventures and investments.

The senior officers present used the occasion to reflect in the lectures and made known their decisions to embrace Agribusiness to augment their income and improve their social and economic well-being as well as their contribution to National Income and Economic Development.