The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, has said that equitable access to clean water will help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal agenda of eradicating hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
He said this while speaking to small-scale farmers drawn from 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State to celebrate the 2023 World Food Day with the theme ‘Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave no one behind’.
The programme, which held at JDPC Complex, GRA, Ijebu Ode was organised by the Association of Small-scale Agro Producers in Nigeria in collaboration with the Diocesan Agricultural Development Programme of the Justice Development and Peace Commission.
Akinlesi said that the availability and accessibility to clean and reliable water was an inalienable right that no one should be excluded from its benefits.
He noted that the significance of water to human lives and society at large cannot be overemphasized, saying it was not only a life-sustaining element but also a critical factor in the development of the agricultural sector.
Akinlesi said, “As much as water may be abundant, its accessibility poses a numerous challenge to many around the globe and this must be addressed. However, managing water wisely, effective usage of the agrifood water system, re-usage of water, safeguarding water and aquatic food system among others will help a lot to reduce the challenge of access to safe water”.
Also speaking at the event, the State Chairman, ASSAPIN, Adewale Oletunbo, noted that action has to be taken to collaborate and inspire everyone to work hard towards a future where water would be abundant and food accessible to all.
The Chairman of the occasion and Former HOD/Director, Institute of Vocational Training and Research in Agriculture, Tai Solarin University of Education, Professor James Olanrewaju Banjo, stressed the importance of farmers to the economic development of the society, saying, “No farmer, No food”.
He noted that if water is abundant, which falls under infrastructure, then the government should pay attention to budgetary allocation to Agriculture.
In his keynote address, the Director, of JDPC, Rev. Fr. John Ngoyi stated that both the government, private sectors, stakeholders, and civil society organizations should be accountable for improving the food system, which is the fundamental human right of the citizens of any given State.
He said that as much as the precious natural resources were not Infinite, they should not be taken for granted, but rather encourage everyone to take water action for improved food production to achieve the desired change.
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