By Obiabin Onukwugha
In latest move to achieve food security, the Nigerian Government will woo investors by showcasing its agricultural potentials at the African Development Bank (AfDB) World Food Prize, taking place at Iowa, United States, on Tuesday.
The event facilitated by Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, will have Nigeria’s Vice President, Shettima Kashim, present a Keynote Address.
Shettima will also hold high-stakes meetings with manufacturers, investors and top government officials across some states of the US, to achieve the target.
Latest Global Hunger Index (GHI) had listed Nigeria among nine countries expected to see its hunger levels worsene throughout 2023. The 2023 Global Hunger Index, also ranked Nigeria 109th out of the 125 countries with sufficient data to calculate the 2023 GHI scores.
According to the GHI, the rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis in Nigeria was caused by increase in prices of oil and fat, bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, fruit, meat, vegetables and milk, cheese, and eggs, as a result of fuel subsidy removal.
Aside inflation, Nigeria has been hit with food shortages occasioned by climate change as most states in the North and South-South Nigeria lose their food crops to perennial flooding on yearly basis.
Also, deaths and low yield in crops and other food products occasioned by environmental degradation has left many Nigerians grapple for food.
However, a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, on Sunday, said the Vice President, who has arrived the US to participate in the AfDB World Food Prize, will use the event to woo investors to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The statement also pointed out that the Vice President will use the platform to speak on the potentials and endowments of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
It further informed that the Shettima will push for commitments in achieving President Bola Tinubu’s mandate and programmes for Nigeria’s agro-food sector.
With the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, Shettima will be listed as distinguished African leaders who in the past have used the event to canvas support for agricultural development and food sufficiency in Africa.
The statement read: “His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived the United States of America to participate in the AfDB World Food Prize-facilitated Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue slated for Iowa.
“As the special guest, the Vice President is due to deliver the keynote address at the event which commences on October 24th, 2023. In the itinerary of the Vice President while in the US are high stake meetings across some states of the US with manufacturers, investors and top government officials.
“On the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, VP Shettima as stated earlier, will be joining the late former United Nations Secretary-General and AGRA founder, Kofi Annan; World Food Prize Laureates; Ghana President, John Kufuor and AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adeshina; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Presidents Felix Tshishiked and Joaquim Chissano; Joyce Banda; Ameenah Gurib – Fakim and IFAD President, Kanayo Nwanze as distinguished African leaders who in the past have used the event to canvas support for agricultural development and food sufficiency in Africa.
“The Vice President will use the platform to speak to the potentialities and endowments of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, woo investors and push for commitments in achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandates and programmes for Nigeria’s agro-food sector.”