“There is the need to replicate the Gamma Irradiation Facility(GIF) at regional or state levels in order to improve food security in the country which is one of the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.” This is contained in the response of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on food security, Barrister Yejide Ogundipe during her facility tour of the GIF.

She was responding to the presentation on the potentials of the GIF by the Deputy Director/Head, GIF, Engr. Tajudeen K. Mustapha. The presentation had in attendance the Acting Chairman/CEO NAEC, Engr. Anthony Ekedegwa, alongside the Directors of NRID,NTC and the TA-OCM, Engr. Justin Salu, Dr. Tukur Hamman Gabdo and Dr. Uche Madu respectively. In the same vein,the TA-OCM advocated for a special intervention fund for the GIF which the SSA to the President promised to use her good office to assist NAEC.

Similarly, the Acting Chairman/CEO, NAEC in his response, allayed the fears of the SSA to the President and Nigerians on the safety of irradiated agricultural products for consumption. The Acting Chairman also advocated for Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangements to replicate modular/ mobile GIF for easy accessibility by farmers and potential clients across the country.

The objective of the facility tour by the SSA is to gain insights and identify potential areas where Irradiation technology can be adopted to prevent post harvest losses given the urgent need to address food insecurity in the country.