By Ezra Ukanwa, Abuja

Over 50 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Bola, over approving the re-appointment of Dr. Vincent Isegbe as the Director General/ Comptroller General of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).

The CSOs described the move as a strategic decision to improve food security in Nigeria and for the NAQS which signifies a commitment to moving Nigeria’s agricultural sector forward.

The Director, Research, Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative, TADI, Mohammed Basah, spoke on behalf of the CSOs, at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.

He noted that Dr. Isegbe has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in his role as DG of NAQS, and his re-appointment is a testament to his competence and effectiveness.

He said: “We acknowledged that the Dr. Isegbe’s capacity to serve and deliver on his responsibilities at one of the apex agricultural institution is unquestionable.

“We appreciate President Tinubu’s dedication and commitment to repositioning every sector of the project Nigeria, and fostering hope for all Nigerians, regardless of tribe, religion, and other wise.

“President Tinubu has consistently made prudent choices in appointing capable and capacity personified individuals to manage critical sectors of the nation.

“This appointment further reinforces his commitment to effective governance and strategic positioning of capable hands towards the nation’s economic progress.

“We look forward to the positive impact expected from Dr. Isegbe’s leadership and expertise to pilot forward the NAQS and the agricultural landscape of the country.

“Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI) uses this veritable medium to applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrenching professionalism in NAQS through the renewed Hope Agenda by reappointing Dr. Vincent Isegbe as the Director General/Comptroller General of Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service,NAQS,

“It goes to show that the Tinubu administration’s renewed hope agenda rewards performance and credibility. President Bola Tinubu on approving the reappointment of Dr. Vincent Isegbe as the Director-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Service.”

He, however, charged Dr. Isegbe “to build on the service’s recent performance after it ranked in the top three agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the efficiency and transparency index by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).”

“Dr. Isegbe is expected to consolidate on his sterling performances and other numerous achievements as the pioneer Director General/Comptroller General NAQS.

“TADI appealed to the President to provide all the needed support to the agency for further growth and developments as the re-appointment of Dr. Vincent Isegbe has given the agency impetus to consolidate on the gains of the past five years and further ensure sanitary and phytosanitary measures in the agro-export sector”, he added.

Highlighting some of Dr. Isegbe’s key achievements, according to the CSOs, is the construction of two storey Laboratory structures in Lagos and Abuja to facilitate export trade.

“He also undertook and perfected the standardization of Export Certification Value Chains for thirty (30) Nigerian premium agro-export commodities, the re-organization of Quarantine Post-Entry stations in the country and the operationalization of the paramilitary structure of the Service vis-a-vis its scientific obligations with agro-trading countries and partners amongst others”, they added.

They further assured President Tinubu of their continued support and full alignment with his vision for Food security, Agro-production, diversification and export leading to high yield in production foreign exchange generation and job creation.