Adesina To Buhari: Appoint ‘Competent, Young’ Agric Minister

As Nigerians await release of ministerial list, President Muhammadu Buhari, has been urged to appoint a young, vibrant and competent person to head Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development.

The Managing Director of Cassava Processing Intervention Scheme (CAPFIS), Mr Femi Adesina, made the call in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Abuja.

He urged the president to be meticulous in appointing a minister to head the sector in view of its critical role in the growth and development of the nation.

While commending the Federal Government on efforts to reposition the economy through diversification, Adesina said appointing a young person with vast knowledge of agriculture and one open to innovations would be ideal for the country.

According to him, the benefits accruing from having the right person to pilot the affairs of the sector are enormous.

He stressed that besides improved revenue generation for the country, there would be more job opportunities for the unemployed.

“We are anticipating that the president would appoint a competent person to head the Ministry of Agriculture.

“We want a competent and experienced young person in the field, someone that will embrace innovative ideas as well as creative and vibrant programmes that will boost the sector.

“We are anticipating that the Federal Government will do this for us so that we can have someone to relate with to ensure that the country is taken to a greater height,” he said.

On activities of CAPFIS, Adesina said that the organisation had gotten a financier, who was willing to invest in its programme to help to create job opportunities among other objectives.

He said that all that was required was approval of the scheme by the Federal Government.

The managing director said that CAPFIS was focused on empowering youths in mechanised cassava cultivation and establishing of value chain attraction industries.

He stressed that the industries would be powered independently to produce high quality cassava flour, starch, chips, ethanol, glucose among others for export and local consumption.

“We had to hold on for the minister of agriculture to be appointed for other forms of engagement.

“We intend to make it a national project not just to cultivate cassava but to set up processing plants for starch, chips, flour making and other products. We want to make it a whole value chain.”

Adesina expressed optimism that the president would heed the call of the association and other stakeholders in appointing the right person for the job.

_
NAN