Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, emphasized the need to deploy public relations mechanisms to shift negative perceptions about agriculture in Nigeria to attack investments, stating that it’s essential to remove obstacles making agricultural practice less desirable and contribute to the country’s food crisis.
At the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations’ annual colloquium in Abeokuta, Abiodun noted, “When we hear ‘public relations,’ many think of media campaigns and press releases. But in the context of our food crisis, public relations is far more than just communication. It’s about building bridges — between the government and the private sector, between investors and farmers, and between policymakers and the Nigerian people.”
Abiodun highlighted his administration’s support for over 12,000 farmers with farming inputs and mechanization of 4,000 hectares of land.
Professor Olusola Kehinde, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, stressed the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s food crisis, citing the 2030 deadline for achieving ‘Zero Hunger’ and alarming World Food Reports statistics.
In his own remarks, Dr. Ike Nneliaku emphasized the need to address insecurity and promote farming awareness.
Also speaking, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, who noted Nigeria’s paradox of importing $10 billion worth of food annually despite its agricultural potential.
The event concluded with the unveiling of the NIPR’s image maker journal, marking a call to action against food insecurity affecting millions of Nigerians.