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The Kwara Agriculture Network has reinstated its commitment to promoting the Sustainable Development Goal 2 in line with the United Nations mandate to eradicate hunger by 2030.
The Executive Chairman, Kwara Agriculture Network; Mr. Al-Mustapha Ibrahim disclosed this at the first International Conference on Zero Hunger and Food Security held at the Kwara state banquet hall in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital on Tuesday.
While addressing news men briefly after the conference: Al-Mustapha noted that the best time to hosting such an important conference is now given the relatively high prices of food commodities as well as increasing profile of food insecurity across countries.
He maintained that food security and zero hunger is a core mandate of the United Nations sustainable development goals which has been greatly threatened by rising insecurity and inflation.
“Fighting hunger is a global mission that requires strong determination and commitment from all sectors. These surely call for partnership between the public and private institutions. We cannot rest while so many people are hungry in a world where there is enough food for all. We are here because this has to change. With this drive to reduce hunger, we are not proposing a new goal, we are sharing vision for the future. A future where everyone enjoy there fundamental right to food, a future where people’s livelihood is resilient and a future where food systems are able to withstand a changing climate.” He added.
He lauded the stakeholders and experts for their commitment and drive towards a hunger free world urging everyone to partner and rally support for projects aimed at ending hunger and malnutrition in all facets.
The Deputy Governor of Kwara state; Mr. Kayode Alabi applauded the relentless effort of the network in promoting sustainable agricultural practices especially in the areas of technology transfer, training of the trainers as well as job creation for youths in agribusiness. Represented by Engr. Oloruntoyin Tunde Zubair; the Deputy Governor assured the Kwara Agriculture Network of the government’s readiness to supporting youths in agriculture in a bid to creating more jobs as well as reducing the poverty index of the country.
The Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and the Chairman, Board of Trustees to the Network; Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali in his remarks tasked relevant stakeholders especially the federal and state governments to improve on agricultural mechanization in order to enhance robust agricultural productivity.
He, however, noted the need for collaborations in achieving a zero hunger world through public private partnerships.
Other speakers at the conference rallied the need to foster dialogues and discuss on food security while appreciating the network for a timely hosting of the event.
Dignitaries at the event included; the Turaki of Ilorin; Mallam Saliu Mustapha represented by Ambassador Tajudeen Olesin, the Vice Chancellor, Kwara state University, Prof. Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi, and His royal highness, the Olusin of Ijara-isin: Oba Ademola Ajibola Julius ably represented by the Elemosho of Ijara-isin; who was conferred as the Intenational Zero Hunger Ambassador.
Other dignitaries included: the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Governmental Affairs: Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, Senior special Assitant to the Governor on SDGs: Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, the State Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD): Dr. Aliyu Kabir, the Managing Director: NIRSAL microfinance bank: Mr. Oyewo Rasheed, the Managing Director, Lower Niger River Basin Authority: Dr. Adeniyi Saheed Aremu, Kwara state AFAN chairman: Hon. Umar Aboki, CEO NAS TV Africa: Mallam Nasir Abdulqadir among several other stakeholders.
Speakers at the event included: Dr. Solomon Ajide of Landmark University, Mr Akintola Akinyemi of Green Globe Initiative and Dr. Saka Shittu of Whitefood Veterinary Ventures.
Meanwhile, about 650 attendees participated in the conference while a total of 127 and 74 agribusiness owners drawn from both private and public institutions were trained during the technical session of the conference on poultry and fishery value chains respectively. This is a project phase of the Zero Hunger Kwara Project launched in 2020 by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a partnership between the Kwara Agriculture Network, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as the Kwara state Government.
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