ibironkeeniola 
The newly posted Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, yesterday, promised an open door policy to fast-track food security.
Umakhihe made the promise in a statement signed by the Director, Information, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Theodore Ogaziechi, during the handing over ceremony at the Headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja. After he received the Handing Over notes from the sit-in Permanent Secretary, Hajia Karima Babaginda, who also is a Director of the Ministry, where he made it clear that the issue of teamwork and cooperation from the directors cannot be over emphasized in order to achieve the Buhari-led administration’s diversification policy in the agricultural sector.
He said: “I am here to operate an open-door policy, learn from the directors, add value, and coordinate the affairs of the Ministry. “The issue of teamwork and cooperation from the directors cannot be over emphasized in order to achieve the President’s policy on diversification in the agricultural sector.” According to the statement while welcoming the Permanent Secretary, sit-in Permanent Secretary, Babaginda, told him (Umakhihe) that the Ministry has the mandate to ensure food security and create employment opportunities for teaming youths of the nation. She pledged the loyalty and commitment of the Directors and the entire staff of the Ministry. “Mr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe who was born on the 5th of April, 1964, is a Professional Accountant of high repute, a core Technocrat and an Astute Administrator. He has served in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation”, the statement added.
SOURCE: VANGUARD