Nigeria, Africa’s Food Security Issues Caused By Policy Discontinuity, Says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised governments in Africa to do more on sustaining policies, lamenting that policy somersaults have been the major hindrances to achieving food security among others in the continent.

The former president stated  that the hunger crisis in the country and the continent, would not have been this worse if the culture of policy continuity in developmental and food production efforts had been sustained

According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo spoke at the unveiling of Okun Rice Mills at Asero, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Obasanjo said,  “Part of our problem in Nigeria and Africa as a whole is lack of continuity and this is very bad for every development at family level, state level, national level and continental.

“What I found so ridiculous is that because there has been no continuity in so many things we are doing, you will hear people saying “for the first time ever” as if Nigeria is just beginning today whereas the problem is lack of continuity.

“When you go back you will find out that some people have done that which they are talking about in the past and if we had continued, our situation wouldn’t have been bad as it is particularly in the area of food production.

“I have always said it that government has no business in production, the primary duty of the government is to provide the enabling environment for agricultural production and other business enterprises to thrive so as to achieve food security. 

“So, I am saying that for us to achieve increased food production and achieve food sufficiency at the state, national at continental level, the government must be ready to provide enabling environment and ensure continuity of assisted agric policies to enhance food production.”

Obasanjo lauded the Chief Executive Officer of Hyst Global Business Limited, Dr. Biodun Onalaja, for his courage and perseverance, hailing him for bracing all odds to invest in local production of rice and boosting food sufficiency in the country.

He added that the entrepreneur has done so well urging him to also prioritise supporting the local rice farmers and get the paddy rice to mill from them.

Onalaja earlier in his welcome address,  lauded Obasanjo’s visionary leadership, particularly in the area of boosting food production in the country saying that his guidance and support over the years have been a major source of encouragement.

On his Okun Rice Mill, the CEO hinted that the mill has the capacity to produce 100 metric tonnes of high quality rice daily in various packing options from 1kg to 50kg.

He disclosed that the enterprise is aimed at creating employment opportunities and achieving sustainable food production in the country.

Onalaja said that the Okun Rice will be available for purchase as from Mid-November, urging the rice farmers to bring their paddy rice for processing.

The CEO appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun and other government functionaries for the support and cooperation to ensure the success of the partnership with the state government.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, said that the Okun Rice venture is another success story of the public private partnership (PPP) of the present administration in the state.

Owotomo, represented by Alhaji Suraj Ishola, Director of Research, Planning and Statistics in the ministry, said that the state government will continue to create an enabling environment and support the farmers and other investors in agricultural enterprises to thrive.

He said that the commitment of Governor Abiodun’s government to enhancing food security has been very encouraging with provision of farm inputs among other support for thousands of farmers in the state

James Sowole 

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