Dr Mohamed Ndagi Ishaq, the newly appointed Executive Director of the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI) in Badeggi, Niger State, has pledged to reposition the Institute for enhanced service delivery, aiming to ensure food sufficiency across Nigeria.
In an interactive session with journalists in Bida, Dr. Ishaq, who recently assumed office, attributed the challenges facing the Institute to a lack of adequate funding, which he described as crucial for conducting meaningful research.
“As a long-serving senior staff member of the Institute, I am aware of the constraints that have hindered the progress and overall development of the NCRI,” Dr Ishaq said. “I will not hesitate to implement measures that will ensure the smooth operation of my tenure.”
He emphasised that one of his top priorities is to organise a retreat and promote the training and retraining of staff to ensure they are well-versed in the policies and fundamentals that underpin the Institute’s mission.
“My goal is to restore the lost glory of the Badeggi Research Institute,” he declared, “and this can only be achieved through the collaborative efforts of everyone involved, to overcome the bottlenecks that have posed challenges to the Institute’s progress.”
Dr. Ishaq also noted that his leadership would not follow the status quo, stating that it is the responsibility of the Executive Director to welcome constructive criticism that can help address any issues hindering the Institute’s development.
Appointed as the 12th substantive Director of the NCRI on August 1, 2024, Dr. Ishaq has served the Institute for over 30 years. He is a seasoned scientist and the immediate past President of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria. He takes over from Dr. Emmanuel Abo, who served as Acting Director for the past year. Dr. Ishaq is set to lead the Institute for the next five years.
In a separate interview, the Chairman of the Joint Unions of NCRI Badeggi, Comrade Dogo Saleh, expressed joy over Dr Ishaq’s appointment, describing him as “a round peg in a round hole.”
Comrade Saleh expressed confidence that Dr. Ishaq, as a seasoned administrator, would focus on staff welfare and human capital development, making a significant difference during his tenure.
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