President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Amendment Bill 2021.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, says the assent is in consonance with the commitment of this administration to diversify the economy, with agriculture playing a critical role.
It says with the amendment, the Council is expected to play a crucial part in coordinating research efforts in the agriculture sector towards achieving food sufficiency and security in the nation.
The President, who assented to the bills before his visit to Ethiopia, also approved the establishment of the Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma, and the Federal College of Education, Special, Birnin Kudu.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari says his aim is to make the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, a force to reckon with in the global oil arena.
He stated at the State House, Abuja while receiving the certificate of incorporation of the NNPC as a limited liability company.
The President described the incorporation of the company as a significant milestone in his administration’s quest to create an enduring National Energy Company that could compete with its global peers, and deliver value to Nigerians.
He said his expectation was for a speedy transition through taking all steps required to transfer assets, human and material, and the capitalization of the company as required by the Petroleum Industry Act.
The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, explained that the registration, which was accomplished within 24 hours, had complied with all requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, and the PIA, disclosing that the new company is one with the largest capitalization of 200 billion Naira in the country.
Reporting by Bello Wakili/Abdullah Bello, Editing by Tola Oguneye