Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in a concerted effort to bolster food security within the state.
This resolute commitment was communicated through a statement issued on Wednesday, by Mr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, based in Ibadan.
Governor Makinde underscored this pivotal partnership during a significant encounter with Dr. Simeon Ehui, the Director-General of IITA, within the confines of his office at the State Secretariat Agodi Ibadan.
Makinde, gracious in his acknowledgment of IITA’s collaborative undertakings since assuming office in 2019, vocalized his intent to further solidify this collaboration to address the pressing concern of food insecurity.
Highlighting the potential impact of this partnership, Governor Makinde articulated, “With the IITA, if we concentrate on alleviating hunger through ensuring food security in our state, we can effectively mitigate half of the challenges that lay ahead of us. Therefore, I pledge that, despite the change in leadership at the helm of IITA, as a state, we are resolute in our commitment to collaboratively address food security not only within our own borders but also at the national and continental levels.”
Governor Makinde also reiterated the continuity of the “Start Them Early Programme” (STEP), an initiative aimed at imparting agribusiness skills to secondary school students in Oyo State.
The success of this program has been evident, and Makinde expressed his satisfaction with the state’s collaboration with IITA in nurturing these young minds.
Furthermore, he announced an extension of the program to encompass other regions of the state, cementing the resolve to nurture a new generation of agricultural enthusiasts.
The Director-General of IITA, Dr. Simeon Ehui, reciprocated this dedication to collaboration by expressing the institute’s readiness to work closely with the Oyo State government to fortify the state’s food security infrastructure.
Recognizing the contemporary challenges posed by climate change to food systems in Africa, Dr. Ehui assured the state government of IITA’s steadfast support in fulfilling their shared mission.
The partnership between the Oyo State government and IITA is poised to be a cornerstone in the quest for enhanced food security.
Governor Makinde’s proactive stance, coupled with IITA’s expertise, promises to provide sustainable solutions that transcend boundaries and work toward the betterment of not only Oyo State but the entire continent.
As they navigate the challenges presented by climate change and other factors, this collaboration stands as a beacon of hope for a more resilient and secure food future.