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“Foremost is the government’s pivotal role of providing strategic and solution-based leadership that promotes sustainable agriculture. The need for a deliberate investment in rural infrastructure cannot be overemphasized. In budgetary allocations, the government needs to scale up the priority of food security by allocating adequate funds for agricultural programs and implement policies that support smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities”.
Nigeria, a country endowed with abundant natural resources and a diverse agricultural landscape, sadly still grapples with the issue of hunger and food insecurity. In spite of its agricultural potential, millions of Nigerians face challenges accessing nutritious food regularly.
To address this multifaceted problem, a collaborative approach involving government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, and local communities is needed.
By leveraging collective resources, expertise, and innovative strategies, Nigeria can make significant strides in combating hunger and ensuring food security for all its citizens.
But before all that, we first need to ‘understand’ the challenge on our hands. Food insecurity in Nigeria is a very complex issue stemming from various factors such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, climate change, conflict, and inefficient agricultural practices.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 27% of the Nigerian population is undernourished, and millions lack access to sufficient food to lead healthy and active lives.
For us to make strides in this area, there is a need for a robust collaborative approach with the concerted efforts of important stakeholders:
Government
Foremost is the government’s pivotal role of providing strategic and solution-based leadership that promotes sustainable agriculture. The need for a deliberate investment in rural infrastructure cannot be overemphasized. In budgetary allocations, the government needs to scale up the priority of food security by allocating adequate funds for agricultural programs and implement policies that support smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.
NGOs
NGOs also play a crucial role in boosting food security and tackling hunger by complementing government policies by implementing grassroots programs, providing food aid, and advocating for policies that address the root causes of hunger.
NGOs can focus on community-based approaches such as promoting sustainable farming practices, empowering women in agriculture, and facilitating access to education and healthcare, which are essential components of food security.
Private Sector Engagement
Involving the private sector is essential for promoting investment, innovation, and market-driven solutions in agriculture. Businesses may help by investing in value chains, assisting smallholder farmers, and advancing sustainable farming methods.
Collaborations among agribusinesses, financial institutions, and technological companies can help small-scale farmers have better access to loans, market data, and agricultural inputs, which will raise their earnings and productivity.
Community Participation
Local communities are at the forefront of food insecurity, and they are frequently best positioned to identify solutions that address their specific needs.
Farmers’ cooperatives, community gardens, and food banks are all examples of community-based programs that can encourage self-sufficiency, resilience, and social cohesion.
Nehemiah 4:6: So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
Meanwhile, I am delighted to inform you that come October, 1, 2024, we at NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute famous for Peace Leadership will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary.
To this end is our campaign to spread the education of peace leadership to both the old as young, women and children in various places from corporate organisations, to political organizations, worship centers, educational institutions, markets and communities.
It is in our belief that the more educated the people are in respect to peace leadership, the more peaceful our country will become.
So this is a call-to-action, to hop on our Peace campaign train, to arm yourself, your friends, your colleagues, your employees, your congregation with contemporary peace leadership knowledge that makes for a happier and more fulfilled life, personally and collectively.
Kindly call or send a message on Whatsapp to +2347065828892, to be a beneficiary of this.
Prof. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Leadership, Conflict, Peace and Security Management Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.
He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.
Ofonime is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently a Professor of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution with ICOF University, USA/Zambia and a Professor of Peace Education with Charismatic International University, Cameroon.
With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute famous for Peace Leadership.
Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2030 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.
For leadership, conflict, peace and security consultations and trainings, reach him via:
Facebook: Dr. O.E Bassey
LinkedIn: Dr. O.E Bassey
X: Dr. O.E Bassey
WhatsApp: +2347065828892
Mail: emmanuelbassey@gmail.co
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