|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Akpan David, Calabar
A former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that what really interests him now is how to impact on and drive agriculture, improve food security and its transformation in Nigeria and elsewhere.
Jonathan stated this when he accepted appointment as Africa’s Ambassador for Agricultural Technology. The appointment was made by the Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) weekend in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.
He said, “As a former Head of State, my interest in serving the continent is driven by my interest in driving food security and transformation for better quality of life in Africa.”
The former president assured that he would use the appointment to encourage African agric entrepreneurs to focus more on food production to boost security in Africa.
AATF executive director, Dr Canisius Kanangire explained that the appointment was informed by Jonathan’s track record of championing agricultural transformation on the continent.
Kanangire said that Jonathan’s commitment to uplift agriculture on the continent was exemplified by the Agricultural Transformation Agenda he pursued and diligently implemented in Nigeria during his tenure as President.
According to the AATF boss, another critical element of Jonathan’s agricultural legacy as was his ability to cut down on the importation of food that can be produced locally, thereby, saving the nation well over N1.3 trillion per annum on the importation of foodstuff.
“Dr Jonathan was able to demonstrate in Nigeria that agriculture should be treated as a business and supported by relevant policies for the improvement of the livelihoods of our growing farming population.” he said.
On his role as AATF’s Ambassador, Dr. Jonathan will advocate for advancement of Africa’s agricultural goals and economic growth through application of innovative technologies and enhanced investment in agriculture.
“AATF believes that fo mer president will help accelerate ongoing efforts to improve our agricultural terrain,” said Dr Kanangire.
