The Federal Government has inaugurated the 6th Council of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS).
The NIAS is the regulatory agency of the ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Animal Husbandry.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, while inaugurating the council on Wednesday in Abuja, urged them to bring their experience and expertise to bear towards actualising food and nutrition security.
He expressed confidence that the institute through the guidance of the council would provide positive short- and long-term solutions to build resilience and sustainability across the livestock value chain.
The minister said that livestock in Nigeria had made tremendous progress and grown into an organised industry, which had contributed significantly to the country’s agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He called on NIAS, as a critical stakeholder, to bring its regulatory prowess to forefront, while maintaining highest standards.
Abdullahi said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was committed to having programmes that would ensure that the livestock production sector played a critical role in the country’s development.
“Livestock production across all the value chains remains a significant tool for industrialization of our economy and ensuring sustainable and nutrition security.
ALSO READ: Coalition to partner FG on cassava processing
Also speaking, the President of NIAS, Prof. Baba Abubakar, said the inauguration of the council by the minister demonstrated his level of commitment to the activities of the institute.
Abubakar said that the institute had established 18 states and zonal offices across the country.
He appreciated the hard work, passion and dedication of the institute founding fathers and other members for the efforts to ensure that NIAS progresses.
Abubakar assured the minister of the commitment of the council in supporting the government towards achieving national food nutrition security.
The president also called for a further amendment of the NIAS Act.
The council comprised 29 statutory members who will serve for a tenure of three years in line with the NIAS Act.
NAN
