The Federal Government has inaugurated the 6th Council of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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 actualizing food and nutrition security.
He expressed confidence that the institute, under 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 the forefront while maintaining the 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 industrializing our economy and ensuring sustainability and nutrition security.
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’s founding fathers and other members for their efforts to ensure that NIAS progresses.
Abubakar assured the minister of the commitment of the council to supporting the government in achieving national food and nutrition security.
The president also called for a further amendment of the NIAS Act.
NAN reports that the council comprises 29 statutory members who will serve for a tenure of three years in line with the NIAS Act.(NAN)
