STAKEHOLDERS present at the World Food Day celebration organised by the Hope for Life Initiative have stressed the need for various players in the agriculture sector to strongly collaborate and work together to achieve food security in the country.
The programme held in Lagos is the fifth edition organised by the NGO was done in collaboration with Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Sterling Bank, AFREXIMBANK, Nigerian American Chambers of Commerce among others.
Founder/Executive Director, Hope for Life Initiative, Kendi Aig-Imoru, said as an organisation that works with widows and children, the organisation is keen about food security.
“We feel that the world food day is a platform to reach out to people and ensure that they understand the true meaning of World Food Day and understand that we need to protect our environment.
“We need to be secured about our food because our actions are our future, if we don’t take care of our food and if we do not take care of what we eat today, it will tell on us tomorrow.” He said.
Communication and Knowledge Exchange Expert, IITA, Godwin Atser, who represented Dr. Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General for Partnership for Delivery, IITA, said the theme is apt for several reasons because there is the need to reverse the number of hungry people that have been estimated to 800 million and put an end to malnutrition and all effect of climate change on the food system.
Aster said:“For this to happen we need to work in partnership. For us in IITA, partnership is very key. The key driver to all what IITA has been able to achieve is partnership from donators, government and non-government organisations” he said.
Assistant Director in NAFDAC, Anthony Abah, who represented Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC, stated that NAFDAC is always ready to partner and collaborate with any organisation on anything that has to do with food products.
“We are talking about food which is key, that is why we are here. We cannot talk about food security without talking about food safety. Food security means everybody have access to affordable, quality, nutritious and safe food. That is where NAFDAC comes in because in NAFDAC we are sure that food that is processed or manufactured or produce or imported into the country are of the right quality and safe.
“NAFDAC cannot do it alone that is why this partnership is very important. Food safety starts from the farm to the table, there must be good seedlings and everyone on the food chain has a role to play in food safety and food security,” he noted.
Project Coordinator, Hope for Life Initiative, Emi Ebare, said the theme of this year rightly captured the current situation with increasing number of countries facing growing levels of acute food security.
“Even before COVID-19 reduced incomes that disrupted supply chain, chronic and acute huger were on the rise due to various factors including conflict, socio-economic conditions, natural hazard and climate change.
“The COVID-19 impact has led to severe and widespread increase in global food insecurity affecting the vulnerable household in every country.
“In view of this, Hope for Life Initiative is using this platform to tackle hunger, highlighting the issues facing vulnerable children and women. This is because we realize the importance of food security to this vulnerable groups and the need to raise awareness by bringing relevant stakeholders together to address food insecurity.”
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