The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise food security in all national plans.
Kukah said given Nigeria’s abundant human and material resources Nigerians should not be hungry or poor.
Kukah said this at his investiture as Trustee of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) on Thursday in Abuja.
“Poverty is a loss of dignity and there is bound to be crisis when a man cannot provide for his family,’’ he said.
He said though building infrastructure was important, but ensuring a food+ secured Nigeria should take prominence.
Commenting on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Kukah stated that it was better for the food to be available before the debating on its safety.
He said there was no basis to debate about hunger in Nigeria, as the lack of food meant lack of life.
The Catholic Bishop advised that regulatory agencies and other agencies of government should cooperate and salvage the situation.
Dr Bola Osinowo, President of NIFST, said that that the current global food crisis significantly impacted developing countries.
“Our country is at crossroads and the role of NIFST to ameliorate this challenge should not be underestimated.
“Food science plays a crucial role in addressing this crisis by offering solutions for increased food production, sustainable farming practices and food preservation.
“While we need to support the government at all levels for the eradication of poverty through food security,’ he said.
According to him, it is pertinent that the Federal Government should accelerate collaborations with NIFST.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji, said that Kukah’s investiture embodied synergy among science, faith and national assignment.
Nnaji, represented by Dr Yemisi Asagbra, Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research,Oshodi, said that the voice of conscience was needed now more than ever on topical issues.
He expressed optimism that Kukah, as a Trustee of the NIFST, would ensure affordable and nutritious food for Nigerians and reposition NIFST.
Nnaji said: ” Food security is not a privilege, but a right for every citizen”.
In his keynote, Mr Ronald Olawale, former president of NIFST said that celebrating the vitality that food brings also involved confronting the pressing challenges of the time.
He said such challenges included hunger, malnutrition, food waste, and the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He said there was growing need for investing in local farmers, supporting innovative agricultural practices, and protecting the natural resources.