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By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
In a world where food insecurity remains a pressing challenge, organizations like the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation are making tangible efforts to address the issue through empowerment and strategic advocacy. On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the Foundation hosted its 8th Annual Ramadan Lecture (1446AH) and Special Prayers for the Nation in Abuja, focusing on the theme: “Ramadan Lessons on Food Security: Building Nigeria’s Path to Sustainable Economic Growth and National Development.”
The event, a five-in-one gathering, combined a Ramadan lecture, national prayers, empowerment programs, training sessions, and an exhibition aimed at addressing food security while uplifting widows, persons with disabilities (PWDs), unemployed youth, and the Almajiri community.
The Founder and Chairman of the Foundation, Imam (Dr.) Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan, emphasized that empowerment is more than just financial aid; it is about providing people with the means to sustain themselves.
“We are going to empower four categories of people in this hall today,” Aliagan announced.
“The widows will be trained and empowered. When you train somebody, you are directly empowering them. So, we’re going to train and empower widows. We’ll empower Almajiris. We are going to train and empower as much as possible. We are going to train and empower people with disabilities and young unemployed Nigerians. We pray that Allah will make this happen more than the way we expected.”
Aliagan reiterated that self-reliance is key to reducing poverty and food insecurity, urging Nigerians to embrace modern agricultural practices, particularly smart agriculture, to ensure sustainable food production.
The Chairman of the occasion, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), represented by Deputy Director Audu Ayuba Mayo, underscored the importance of food security in national development.
“Food security is not just an economic or agricultural concern; it is a fundamental aspect of national development and social stability. A well-nourished society is a productive one, and ensuring access to affordable, nutritious food is essential for national growth and peace,” he stated.
He called on government agencies, religious institutions, private organizations, and individuals to contribute toward ensuring food sufficiency by supporting local farmers, reducing food waste, and adopting responsible consumption habits.
The NOA, according to Issa-Onilu, remains committed to mobilizing Nigerians towards behavioral change and policies that protect the most vulnerable.
“As we reflect during this holy month, let us renew our commitment to building a nation where no one is left behind,” he concluded.
Representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, CSP Faruk U. Dange called for youth engagement in agriculture to prevent crime and idleness.
“An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If the youth are engaged in productive activities like agriculture, they will have no time for crime. We must involve them in food production while also ensuring their safety,” he said.
Dange encouraged Nigerians to collaborate with security agencies by providing timely information to combat crime, adding that prayers and moral support for officers working to maintain law and order were also necessary.
A retired director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Oyeleke Rasaq, emphasized the need for Nigerians to grow their own food, citing small-scale agricultural initiatives such as snail farming as viable ways to enhance food security without significant financial investment.
Aliagan reinforced this sentiment, noting that even small agricultural efforts can collectively have a significant impact on food security:
“The solution is for each and every one of us to learn how to farm on our own without serious capital. You can do farming in your respective homes. You can do what we call snail farming and others,” he advised.
He further appealed to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private individuals, and the government to invest in agricultural empowerment programs that promote self-reliance and reduce dependency.
Speaking at the event, Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, represented by Mr. Salman Salman, commended the Foundation for selecting a timely and crucial topic. He stressed the importance of food security, not only during Ramadan but throughout the year.
“Now that food security has become an issue the world over, it is essential that we put our acts together to ensure that we provide for those who are less privileged,” Mustapha stated.
He echoed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stance on producing what we eat and eating what we produce, advocating for increased investment in local food production.
As the event progressed, attendees had the opportunity to participate in an ongoing exhibition showcasing agricultural products and innovations. Vendors and farmers engaged in buying and selling activities, reinforcing the importance of practical agricultural engagement in achieving food security.
Dr. Aliagan made an impassioned appeal to wealthy individuals and corporate organizations to contribute to empowering more Nigerians in sustainable agriculture, emphasizing that “the more they give, the more they are expected to give.”
With prayers for national peace, economic prosperity, and food sufficiency, the event ended on a hopeful note, inspiring attendees to take practical steps toward self-reliance and community support.
The Ashraaf Islamic Foundation’s 8th Annual Ramadan Lecture exemplified the essence of Ramadan—compassion, sacrifice, and communal responsibility. However, beyond charity, the Foundation’s approach underscores the importance of empowerment, education, and strategic policy engagement in addressing food insecurity and economic challenges in Nigeria.
As the country grapples with rising food prices, unemployment, and security concerns, initiatives like these serve as a blueprint for a self-sufficient and economically stable Nigeria—one where every individual has the means to feed themselves and contribute meaningfully to society.
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