HANDING OVER / TAKING OVER: Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar Assumes Duties at FMARD- Promises to prioritize the implementation of FG’s national livestock policy.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has said that he will prioritize the implementation of the Federal Government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) as part of measures to tackle the insecurity across the country. He said the livestock plan is designed to address the farmers/herders' incessant conflicts, increase agric production and grow the Nigerian economy.

Speaking during the handing-over and taking-over ceremony at the Ministry’s Conference Room on Thursday, 9th September 2021, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar said, ‘’ the priority of this Ministry under my leadership will be to ensure that we put in place the necessary policy direction that will truly position agriculture as the mainstay of our economy as captured in the Medium Term National Development Plan and Mr. President’s vision of uplifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years’’.

He also said that ‘’research and extension services will be strengthened to ensure that best practices are translated into concrete deliverables in all the Value Chains including the livestock value chain’’

The Minister stressed the need for synergy among the departments and agencies towards achieving the mandate of the ministry and the diversification policy of Mr. President’s Administration.

He expressed optimism that the country’s enormous resources can place the country as the number one food producer and exporter in the world, ‘’food security is everything and can make a difference. There is no reason why we cannot do this’’.

In his remarks, the former Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono, thanked the Management and staff of the ministry for their support during his tenure in office. He highlighted some of the achievements while in office to include: the stoppage of rice importation into the country, increase in production of local rice, subsidization of fertilizer, ease of movement of Agricultural produce during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown among others.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture Rural Development, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, stated that the outgoing minister “to the best of his ability contributed immensely to the success of the Ministry during his two years tenure”. He described the Minister as being a passionate farmer, whose guidance and counseling would be needed in the future.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, assured the Minister of support and cooperation of the directors and staff of the ministry to achieve his mandate which is in line with the diversification policy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dr. Umakhihe commended the outgoing minister, Alhaji Mohammad Sabo Nanono for playing a remarkable role in advancing the agricultural sector towards achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and other value chains.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar was born on 30th December 1958 in Tudun Wada, Kaduna South, Kaduna State.

He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in (Biology Major, Chemistry Minor) specializing in Microbiology and Master’s Degree in Resources Management, majoring in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, and also has a Ph.D. in Watersheds Management from the University of Arizona, Tucson all in the USA.

He is a seasoned microbiologist and did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporations (NNPC) Kaduna Refinery, Kaduna State.

Dr. Abubakar has worked in various international Organisations which include: Kittitas Country (Health Dept.) as Environmental Health Inspector, the University of Arizona as Research and Teaching Assistance, E&A Environmental Services Los Angeles, California as an Environmental professional (Industrial Hygienist), Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle as Industrial Waste Investigator.

He also worked as a Director Planning, Research and Evaluation with the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Agency and has lectured at Water Resources Research Institute, Kaduna as well as a volunteer Environmental Consultant for the United Nations Association, Seattle Washington DC.

The Minister is a member of several professional organizations including the National Environmental Society, Nigeria (NES), National Association of Environmental Profession. United Nations Association, National Environmental Health Association, USA, among others.

He is happily married with children.

Chinenye Obi

For: Director, Information (FMARD)