The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) has partnered with the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) and the Ogun Government to increase food production and achieve food security, the 2030 SDG goal 2.
The President, UNESCO REF, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, stated that the collaboration was part of an effort to achieve sustainable food production while also addressing the security risk that may fall out of food shortage in the country.
He said the UNESCO REF and POWA President, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun had visited Ogun government to seek for a constructive sustainable synergy for the easy attainment of achieving the UN goal 2.
The synergy, he added, was also to complement President Bola Tinubu’s ambition on food security, which he had already declared as a state of emergency.
He said that all these were geared towards achieving peace and economic diversification in the society.
Ladigbolu butressed that working with the Nigeria police Force would surely promote security through a non-kinetic approach to dealing with one factor that could contribute to societal disorder if not attended to on time.
His words: “I believe solving food shortage is directly contributing to addressing goal 2 of the United Nations – zero hunger.
“This is akin to strengthening and also enhancing the agricultural value chain to help create financial freedom among our populace and this will technically mitigate the high risk of disorderliness that may fall out from food shortage.
“Inline with our commitment, UNESCO REF and POWA president are working seamlessly to mobilise 100,000 women including widows and non-widows to boost the dwindling workforce in the agricultural sector.”
The partnership, he continued saying, was also aimed at securing available lands for the project.
He then expressed his gratitude to Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun for his commitment in integrating the young women in agriculture in the state.
Meanwhile, POWA President, Elizabeth Egbetokun had earlier noted that the association recognised the critical role of women in agriculture, as an essential sector that does not only sustain livelihood but could create wealth for them.
She said that women play a pivotal role in advancing food security, adding that the young women in agriculture programme seeks to equip them with the tools, knowledge and opportunities needed to improve their livelihood.
“As the President of POWA, I have the privilege to first-hand data on the number of widows within our association as well as their plights in sustaining their respective families following the demise of their husbands.
“The effect of being bereaved and losing a breadwinner of the family can only be best imagined.
“The widows are left to go through different processes of healing and advancement and worse still, is the reality of being left to solely cater for themselves and the children as the case may be.
“For these widows, there is no better means of livelihood than agriculture, a sustainable, prosperous and robust venture that has numerous benefits for the citizens and the country,” she said.
In his own part, Gov. Abiodun assured the association of the state government’s support of its young women in agriculture programme towards integrating the programme in the state.
He also advised on taking precautionary measures to address likely health issues that may arise from the programme.
