Engineers brainstorm on actionable strategies to tackle effects of food security

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Engineer Mahmud Urwatu Armiya’u Foundation converged on Kaduna over the weekend to brainstorm and map out actionable strategies that will mitigate the effects of insecurity on national food security in the country. Speaking in his keynote address at the 11th edition of the Engr. Mahmud Urwatu Armiya’u […]

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Engineer Mahmud Urwatu Armiya’u Foundation converged on Kaduna over the weekend to brainstorm and map out actionable strategies that will mitigate the effects of insecurity on national food security in the country.

Speaking in his keynote address at the 11th edition of the Engr. Mahmud Urwatu Armiya’u Biennial Public Lecture and Awards Presentation, Major General Victor Ezugwu (rtd), a former Director General, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) while quoting the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said 30 farmers from Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states died from insecurity from 2015 to 2020.

He then noted that there is a direct nexus between security and food production, “Military and other security agencies alone cannot secure Nigeria’s food production.”

He listed poverty, unemployment, corruption and bad governance, ethno-religious and ideological tension, declining military professionals, lethalic combatancy and plummeting cohesion within the armed forces as causes of insecurity in Nigeria.

On the way forward, he said the is need for military and national strategies including rejigging of enduring and sustainable joint military operations and strengthening of national border security network to deter arms smuggling illegal entry of terrorists into Nigeria.

“The military must migrate from its present attrition strategy to 21st century war mode, prioritise community policing, Northern states should adopt an agricultural policy that will make families, villagers and schools to establish seasonal farms to boast production as well as champion efforts to address the root causes of poverty, unemployment and good governance among others,” he added.

In her remarks, President, NSE, Engr. Margaret Oguntala who was represented by Engr. Rachael Serum said the theme of the lecture which is ‘National Food Security: The Way Forward’, could not be more timely or relevant.

“Food security remains an essential cornerstone of national stability and prosperity, and we as Engineers, have an indispensable role to play in securing it. Our engineering capabilities in infrastructure, technology, irrigation, mechanised farming, and logistics are integral to building a robust and resilient food system that can withstand challenges and meet the nutritional needs of our growing population,” she emphasised.

The NSE, Kaduna Branch Chairman, Engr. Arege Bawa, commended the foundation for sponsoring engineers research initiatives in Nigerian universities, providing post graduate scholarship for underprivileged yet gifted students in engineering disciplines and awarding prizes to students in selected fields of engineering.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr. Bello Armiya’u expressed the families appreciation for the honour done to their late father and grandfather and described it as a demonstration of bestowing honour to whom it is due.

Engr. Mahmud Urwatu Armiya’u was the first registered engineer in Northern Nigeria.