We aim to achieve food security at

Phillips Nto was one-time commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia Sta immediate past Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical) and now, the Dire Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. In this interview with UDOKA AGWU in will assist in reducing unemployment; enhance food security and other burning national i

As the new director of Agribusiness Incubation Centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, what are your plans towards achieving the core mandate of the centre?

I have by the grace of God occupied positions of responsibility in the past at various government organisations and agencies, but being Director of Agribusiness Incubation Centre aroused my enthusiasm more than the previous ones. e position, which is courtesy of the dynamic and visionary Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, came at a very auspicious and critical moment of our national history. It came at a period when the country was facing serious economic challenges such as food insecurity, unemployment, and poverty. e position came when food in ation was at an alarming rate of over 38 percent, youth unemployment at about 53 percent, and poverty rate at about 40 percent. e Agribusiness Incubation Centre which is an establishment of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the game changer. Coming to your question, the centre has as its core mandate to reverse this ugly trend. I want as the Director to achieve food security through more youth engagements in agribusiness. When more youths and women are engaged in agriculture and agribusiness, unemployment and poverty will reduce. As a centre which provides hub for agribusiness training and capacity building, it will help youths and women to acquire skills in modern agribusiness value chain and entrepreneurship. Our people do not tap from extensive value chains that agricultural crops provide. rough the training and sensitisation which the centre will provide, many young people will get interested in agriculture and agribusiness. It is our intention to achieve food su ciency for every household at least in Abia State. If each household can produce what can sustain it, the country will not have these poverty-related and food crises. I always say that Nigeria is a blessed nation in all agricultural rami cations, but still under serious food bondage. e Bible said that any man that cannot feed his household is worse than an in del; so, by extension, a country that cannot feed her citizens but depends on food donation from Europe and America is not worth being called an independent country. Our message and mandate are predicated on ensuring everybody engages in agriculture and agribusiness subsector.

What level of acceptance have indigenes shown towards the Centre, in terms of patronage?

It is a known fact that agriculture and agribusiness provide platforms for reducing unemployment, poverty, and boosting food availability. e level of hunger in the land makes acceptability of our programmes and packages very high. Since the commencement of the scheme in February, this year, the patronage has been unprecedented. It opened my eyes to the fact that everybody is interested in addressing the current hardship the country is facing. e centre provides training for various packages like processing of confectioneries from tubers and cereal crops; processing of consumables from ginger, tumeric, garlic, etc; as well as production of various drinks from crops. e centre also provides training on micro gardening and hanging or space farming. ese packages have received patronage from the people, especially youths and women, because of interest to quit the labour market and poverty.

Many members of the National Assembly from the catchment areas are also partnering the centre to train their constituents on modern farming techniques and packaging for export. e same goes for state governments. We have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with some state governments to train their citizens from various Local Government Areas. e University, being an agricultural specialised one, is well equipped to undertake any number of participants who, at the end of the programme, are issued with a certificate of participation. Even the participants from far places are provided with accommodation.

Nigeria's economy seems not to be improving despite measures so far put in place by the current administration. As a renowned economist, what can you pinpoint as the reason for this?

e problem is the nepotistic tendency of the current administration. Tribalism and nepotism make us not to look for suitable round pegs for the round hole. We even put square pegs in a round holes; so far, it serves nepotistic interest. A President that will turn the economy around must be one with a broad mind who will look for the best even if the person is not a Nigerian. You see so many advanced countries like Canada, USA, UK, etc engaging Nigerians in their critical sectors. Our problem is that the appointment of those managing our economy is based on a single criterion of the person coming from your place. e president cannot have the political will to sack CBN Governor or Minister of Finance that is not performing. Can you imagine how Betta Edu was quickly suspended as minister for Humanitarian A airs because the appointment was not based on nepotism? e Economy of Nigeria is not irredeemable the way it is, but you need the right people doing the job.