By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The World Food Programme (WFP), has disclosed that Nigerians spend about 65 percent of thier salaries on foods as prices have skyrocketed.
Dr Hameed Nuru, the Director of the African Union Global Office and Representative to the African Union and Economic Commission for Africa stated this on Wednesday in Ilorin.
Nuru spoke at the Annual Lecture (Maiden Edition) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Ilorin in Honour of Prof. Saka Nuru, the pioneer professor in Ilorin Emirate.
The theme of the programme was entitled: “Navigating the Nexus of Food, Security, Safety, and Disease: A Holistic Sustainable Future and Economic Prosperity”.
He submitted that some African countries including Nigeria are facing high inflation, with thier citizens on the brink of hunger and starvation.
Nuru said there is interlinkage between
food security to national security because it affects agriculture, migration and economic development of any nation.
He observed that active conflicts, climate change are factors that result in food insecurity in most African countries, adding that conflicts have regional implications.
The director of African Union Global Office stated that WFP has provided food to about 3.6million people in Nigeria.
He decried lack of budget for food security in Nigeria, while warning that about a million people are projected to face hunger in Nigeria, adding that starvation looms largely in some part of the country.
Nuru enjoined government at all tiers to take some drastic actions to address food insecurity in the country
“Nigerian farmers are small scale subsistence farmers and to boost Agriculture, there ia need for semi-commercial farming by farmers,” he said.
According to him, there is need for strategic plans including hydrophilic dry Agriculture to boost production, harnessing of energy, digital education and innovation.
The director said Nigeria has all it needs such as water, land and people to be food security.
Earlier in his welcome address, Prof Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin described the Honouree; Prof Saka Nuru as a detribalised Nigerian.
“Prof. Saka Nuru is the first professor in Ilorin Emirate. Many people leaned on him to get to the top,” he said.
Egbewole who was represented by Prof. Suleiman Ambali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Studies of the University, also described him as agile and an untiring hard worker.
Speaking also, Prof. Oyebisi Azeez, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University stated that the first professor in Ilorin has impacted the Fcaulty of Veterinary medicine and Public health.
She explained that the annula lecture l, which bears his name, serves as a beacon of inspiration driving people to strive for excellence.
In his reaction, Prof Saka Nuru, the Honouree and first professor in Ilorin commended the University of Ilorin for the honour and recognition.
He advised the students ans Nigerians not to be discouraged on the economic situation of the country
Nuru who was represented by his daughter, Mrs Rukayat Odekunle, the Commissioner representing Kwara and Kogi States in the Federal Civil Service Commission.
