By AgroNigeria

Mohammed Sani Jobdi has been appointed the new National Project Coordinator of the Agro-Processing, Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project sponsored by the World Bank.

Jobdi who met with management and staff of the project in Abuja on Friday, replaces the former National Project Coordinator, Dr. Amin Mohammed Babandi.

The new NPC was formerly Deputy Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), and will now head the project forthwith.

To ensure that the project delivers on its mandate, Jobdi called for cooperation among the working arms of APPEALS, to fast-track its contribution to the development of the agriculture sector.

According to him, APPEALS mandate was in line with the economic diversification drive of the current administration, as well as the agricultural development agenda of FMARD.

He said the project must contribute its quota to food security and livelihood improvement, adding that agriculture was germane to the economic growth of the country.

Jobdi went on laud Mohammed Babandi, his predecessor, adding that his track record of excellence in the management of development projects, was worthy of commendation.

Describing him as his “Boss and Director,” Jobdi said he hopes to tap from Babadi’s wealth of experience, recalling how the former NPC impacted the sector through the Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (CADP).

He further stated that he will build on the solid foundation laid down by the former APPEALS Boss.

Project Operations Manager, Dr. Salisu Garba, on behalf of the management and staff, welcomed the new NPC and assured him of the team’s cooperation.