FG Seeks Collaboration on Agro-Investment Security

By Dipo Olowookere

Federal Government has expressed its willingness and readiness to work together with the Institute of Security Studies, Abuja in relevant areas of capacity building for agro-investment security.

This disclosure was made by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh on Tuesday when he received course participants representing security agencies and practitioners from within and outside Nigeria, and members of faculty, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.

The delegation, led by the institute’s Deputy Director of Studies, Dr Abdulwahab Wale, was made up of participants enrolled in this year’s course, with the theme: ‘Transhumance and International Migration, Challenges to Peace, Governance and Development in sub-Saharan Africa.’

Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Dr Wale said it was to acquaint the Minister with the programmes and activities of the institute as they relate to creating a peaceful and enabling environment for the current agricultural development programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria to thrive.

“The Institute of Security Studies has continued to provide professional resources and tools to help security agencies and practitioners expand their knowledge and skills and have introduced courses to bring security agencies together to rub minds, share ideas, and be better skill-equipped in modern ways of tackling insecurity.

“We have also added a new module on Agro terrorism to build security skills around the present challenges being faced in the Agricultural sector,” Dr Wale told his host.

Welcoming the delegation, the Mr Ogbeh said, “The intellectual analysis of the security problems confronting the nation is very important; and security studies is absolutely vital if we are going to get anywhere in this country.

“The work you are doing is extremely important for the country, especially your focus on transhumance and international migration.

“The transhumance problem is one that will require joint action from ECOWAS and Nigeria is eager to engage in the sub-regional conversation on the subject to find a lasting solution to the current security challenges”.