PUBLIC LAUNCH OF COUNTRYSTAT NIGERIA

The official launch of CountrySTAT Nigeria was held on 16 September, 2010 at the Rock View Hotel, Abuja. The launch was performed by the chief host and Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Prof. Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah (oon, Fnim). Other dignitaries at the event included the Permanent Secretary , Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, represented by the Director of Human Resources, Mr. L. M. Anwunah; two representatives from FAO, Headquarters, Rome, Mr.Yves Jaques and Ms Andi Shiraz; FAO Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Masayoshi Mastsushita; the Statistician General of the Federation, represented by the Director, Census and Surveys, Dr. George Adewoye; the CBN Governor represented by Dr. M.M Tumala; the National Representative of Fews Net, Mr. T. Yahaye; the National Coordinator of National Programme for Agriculture and Food Security (NPAFS), Bukar Tijani; Assistant FAO Representative, Dr. Mani Rabe; Directors and top management staff of the ministry. The event equally attracted participants from other stake holders in the agric sector, including NGOs, members of the press and the academia. “CountrySTAT Nigeria is part of an FAO initiative supported by a US$5.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to improve the quality, accessibility, relevance and reliability of food and agriculture statistics in 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)”, including Nigeria.