Dialogues on Reducing Hunger, Diseases Must Reflect Our Situations – Osinbajo

The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has said that the conversation in Nigeria and other developing countries must be all-inclusive and reflect the situations that concern the people to tackle hunger and reduce diseases.

As the world community mobilized resources towards addressing the threat, the Vice President explained that such conversations were critical in ensuring meaningful progress to attain the Sustainable Development Goals.

“I think that some of these issues are nuanced and we really need to take a closer look, especially at these dialogues so that our conversations are reflective of the issues that concern us as a nation, as a people, and especially as a developing country,” Professor Osinbajo said this at a virtual dialogue on the Nigeria Food System held on Tuesday.

Osinbajo stressed on the importance of having an open conversation.

He said, “We have to take all of these issues into account, especially because we are debating issues in the international community, we are contributing to a global conversation and it is so important that the nuances of our own society and situation are introduced into this conversation so that the conversation is richer and fairer and more just for our people.”

“I think we must also make it clear that this summit is about the entire value chain from farm to table and all that is in between, including retailers, food processors, technology providers and financial institutions.”

“All of these sectors are involved in the chain and so they are relevant in this summit, and all of their views have to be brought to the table.

“All of these shows the interrelatedness and we need to demonstrate this to show the interrelatedness of each part of the chain and how the weak links affect all, else this will be an important consideration in making this dialogue as accessible and inclusive as possible,” he added.

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The professor highlighted the significance of the summit, expressing confidence that it would address some of the fundamental challenges confronting Nigeria, especially with the COVID-19 outbreak.

He added that the issue of developing sustainable food systems has never been more urgent and more existential for Nigeria, perhaps, it is more in many other countries.

“Why? We are faced with population growth that exceeds growth figures handsomely. Poverty has deepened, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. Malnutrition and unhealthy dietary practices create unique threats to health and productivity for generation after generation.

“So, it is a significant challenge to produce enough food for a rapidly growing population, especially given the changes required in modernisation of farming practices, mechanisation, and reduction of postharvest losses,” the vice president explained.

He noted that there were also the questions around environmentally sustainable production practices, creating empowering jobs and livelihood, as well as capacity building to ensure sustainable and healthy food systems.

“These issues require expertise and experience but also the views of those who will be at the receiving end of these plans. In other words, at these dialogues, we don’t just want to hear only the experts, we want to hear those who are at the receiving end – those for whom all of these plans are being made. The people across all strata of society,” the vice president stated.

He added, “The food we produce and eat, how we produce and eat, should be environmentally friendly and not destroy the environment for future generations. That seems simple enough.

“Aside from the inherent difficulties of recommending dietary changes, which is habit-forming and for most people, there are tough questions about what practices make sense in a high-income country and what will make sense in developing countries.”

The Vice President commended the organizer of the summit for their efforts, adding that the outcome of the dialogue would be of great consequences as it would determine the shape of the future.

The dialogue was organized by the United Nations for global awareness and shape global commitments in mobilizing the food system to address hunger, reduce diet-related diseases and strengthen plenary health.

Present at the meeting included the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; and the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clement Agba.

Others were the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, and the National Convener of the summit, Mrs. Olusola Idowu, among others.