In commemoration of this year’s Food Day, the Hope for Life Initiative, in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), have stressed the need to raise awareness, and encourage sustainable actions to address food safety, hunger, and nutritional challenges affecting millions of people worldwide.
Themed: ‘Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow’, the event was held at the NIIA facility, Victoria Island Lagos.
Other objectives of the programme include, importance of food safety and its role in ensuring a healthy future; promoting collaborations across sectors to create resilient and sustainable food systems.
In his speech that was shared, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, emphasized the importance of transforming food systems to ensure access to nutritious, affordable food for all. He highlighted the impact of conflicts, climate change, and economic disparities on food insecurity and urged governments and stakeholders to collaborate in creating resilient and inclusive food systems
Speaking in a similar vein, Director-General of the NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, said without food security, there would be no guarantee of good nutrition and life.
He further pointed out that the availability of safe foods should be seen as fundamental human right.
In her welcome remarks, CEO Hope for life Initiative, Kendi Aig-imoru , reiterated the importance of marking the World Food Day.
She insisted food is fundamental, not just to ‘our health but our existence. However, in our rapidly changing world, ensuring food safety has become an increasing challenge. From farm to table, every step in the food supply chain plays a critical role in shaping the quality and safety of food . That’s why Hope for Life Initiative has deemed it necessary to ensure we all become food heroes irrespective of our vocation. This emphasizes the roles we each have to play.’
She also encouraged everyone to engage openly, share ideas, and collaborate towards a shared goal of safe food for healthier tomorrow.
The event also featured prominent speakers and experts from various fields, who shared insights and recommendations for building sustainable food systems.
This include, former Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) Prof. Gloria Elemo; Associate Prof. of Entrepreneurship at Lagos Business School and Certified Management Consultant Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Dr. Chris Biellecks and a research fellow at the NIIA Lagos Dr. Stanley Akachukwu.
Each speaker provided valuable perspectives on enhancing food security and improving nutrition, advocating for innovative strategies to combat food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria and beyond.
According to Prof. Elemo, ‘there is need for regulatory and enforcement agencies in the country to periodically take samples of agricultural produce from each community as the produce is harvested and as the produce leaves the farm gate (whether processed into another form or not) for urban centres.
There were remarks from representatives of the German Consulate, Royal Danish Consulate and South African Consulate.
The programme also included an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing participants to engage with speakers on pressing issues relating to food safety, hunger, and sustainable agricultural practices.
An exhibition tour was organized, allowing attendees to explore innovative solutions and products from the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Export Promotion Council, (NEPC) and National Agency for food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
This session provided a platform for networking and discussions on partnerships to enhance food safety standards in Nigeria. Deputy Camp Controller, Gambo Iyere Aliyu represented the Area Camp Controller Tin Can Island Apapa
The programme was supported by Afreximbank, Puritec and other distinguished partners.
