MARGARET CHIDERA
ABUJA, Nigeria – Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has sought partnership with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), for inmates reformation.
Tunji-Ojo made the call while receiving NIRSAL Chief Executive, Abbas Masanawa, on a courtesy call in Abuja.
The Minister, citing the relevance of the organisation, said NIRSAL can do a lot of good to Nigeria Correctional Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He added that with the rising budgetary cost in the feeding of inmates, he conserved, NIRSAL can partner with the Interior Ministry to secure funds for the engagement of inmates for farming activities to produce their food.
He also established nexus between his Ministry and the services rendered by the institution, he said security of investment guarantee by Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending is paramount by protecting the farms for peaceful atmosphere to prevail in the vicinity, which Agro Ranger of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is saddled with, the Minister added.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo, illustrated that NIRSAL is serving as a bridge between lending institution and prospective loan seeker for agricultural related business, which he said is integrity driven, he implored the team, led by its Managing Director Abbas Umar Masanawa, to do more on their perception management, he queried, how many Nigerians know about NIRSAL? He advised the team to always say their stories.
He appreciated the NIRSAL team for the visit and urged them to look inward and identify agencies to partner with, rather than working in silo which will minimise the positive impact of their operation.
Earlier in his delivery, the NIRSAL Chief Executive, Abbas Umar Masanawa, told the Minister that they are in the Ministry to Congratulate the Minister for his deserving appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as Minister of Interior and also seek for a possible collaboration with the Ministry in its service.
He explained to the Minister that NIRSAL is a non-bank financial institution wholly owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria to redefine dimension, measure, reprice, and share agribusiness related credit risk in Nigeria.
