Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sounded an alarm, attributing the surge in banditry and kidnapping to the alarming unemployment rates in Nigeria. Speaking at the 9th International Trade Exhibition & Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing, and Packaging in Lagos, Obasanjo emphasized the urgent need for employment opportunities to curb criminal activities.
Obasanjo, known for his passion for agriculture, stressed the pivotal role of agribusiness in fostering food security, employment generation, and wealth creation. He advocated for initiatives that prioritize agriculture to address unemployment and mitigate security challenges plaguing the nation.
Highlighting the significance of food security, Obasanjo outlined three critical factors: availability, affordability, and accessibility. He urged concerted efforts to minimize food wastage and ensure equitable distribution of food resources across the country.
Addressing the reluctance of Nigerian youths to engage in agriculture, Obasanjo emphasized the need to glamorize the sector to attract young talents. He underscored the importance of policy consistency and access to affordable financing to empower farmers and agribusinesses.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Fairtrade Messe, Paul Maerz, lauded Nigeria’s advancements in agrofood and plastics industries, highlighting the nation’s potential as a key player in Africa. Despite challenges such as post-harvest losses, Maerz expressed optimism about Nigeria’s trajectory in agribusiness and technology.
In alignment with efforts to enhance food security, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, emphasized the imperative of bolstering cold chain infrastructure to minimize post-harvest losses. He called for collaborative efforts between public and private stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s cold chain networks.
Echoing support for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Wouter Plomp, reaffirmed the commitment of the European nation to collaborate with Nigeria in ensuring food security and fostering economic growth.
As stakeholders converge to address challenges and explore opportunities in agribusiness, the call for concerted action to prioritize agriculture remains paramount. With innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, Nigeria aims to harness its agricultural potential to drive economic prosperity and food security for its populace.