PRESS RELEASE - MINISTER INAUGURATES 23 BOARDS UNDER AGRIC MINISTRY

 Hon Minister of State,Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri delivering his speech while inaugurating Chairmen and Members of   Boards of 23 parastatals, Agencies and Institutions under the supervision of his Ministry  newly inaugurated yesterday in Abuja.

The Honorable Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (PHD) yesterday at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja, inaugurated Chairmen and Members of Boards of 23 parastatals, Agencies and Institutions under the supervision of his Ministry with a charge that members should regard their appointments as clarion call to service. 

He likewise enjoined them to see themselves as partners in progress with government by way of deploying their competencies and wealth of experience to give strategic direction to agencies they are appointed to serve, for quicker  attainment of goals that the agencies are established to achieve.

“Distinguished Chairmen and Board members, I want you to regard your new appointments as a clarion call to service and be partners in progress. We require your competencies and wealth of experience to support the institutions you are appointed into, by giving strategic direction and ensuring attainment of the goals they were set up to  deliver”,  the Minister stated.

cross section of  Chairmen and Members of the Boards .

Senator Lokpobiri also reminded the new Board members appointees to be mindful of their non-executive and part time role and noted that “You have statutory responsibilities to bring your wealth of experience to bear on policy articulation and formulation for your agencies”.

The Minister, who also enjoined Heads of Agencies and Parastatals to work amicably with their Boards, reminded all that the Buhari administration is committed to bringing about positive change in the lives of our people and improvement in their standard of living; saying this can only be achieved through accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business. 

He particularly urged the Board Members to be change agents by letting accountability and zero-tolerance to corruption to be their watchword.

Responding on behalf of Chairmen and Members of Boards of Agencies inaugurated, the Chairman of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Barr Adetunji Ajagbe thanked Mr. President for counting them worthy among other qualified Nigerian to be appointed and assured that they will do their best to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He noted that agriculture is so crucial to attainment of food security, employment generation and diversification of the economy and assured that they will do their best to assist the nation to achieve the objective.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Bukar Hassan while congratulating the new appointees said it is no mean achievements to be recognized by the President and appointed to carry out such important assignment among the arrays of talented Nigerians spread across the country.

He promised to make available to them individually; the necessary extant rules and regulations that will assist them achieve success in their assignment.