Obasanjo blames Africa’s food insecurity on policy somersault

A former President Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed lack of continuity and policy somersault as one of the major hindrances to achieving food security in Africa and the continent’s overall development.

Obasanjo said that the government should also stay away from getting involved in the business of production but rather provide the enabling environment that could make the private sector drive the economy of the country.

The former President said that the hunger crisis the nation and the continent are currently battling with would not have been this worse if the culture of continuity in developmental and food production efforts had been sustained.

Obasanjo revealed this on Thursday at the unveiling of Okun Rice held at Asero, Abeokuta.

Obasanjo said that it was bad that successive governments do not encourage the culture of continuity and that this has significantly impacted food production and agricultural practices in the country.

The former President said “Part of our problem in Nigeria and Africa as a whole is lack of continuity and this is very bad for every development at family level, state level, national level and continental.

“What I found so ridiculous is that because there has been no continuity in so many things we are doing, you will hear people saying “for the first time ever” as if Nigeria is just beginning today, whereas the problem is lack of continuity.

“When you go back you will find out that some people have done that which they are talking about in the past and if we had continued, our situation wouldn’t have been as bad as it is, particularly in the area of food production.

“I have always said it that the government has no business in production, the primary duty of the government is to provide the enabling environment for agricultural production and other business enterprises to thrive so as to achieve food security.”

He added, “So, I am saying that for us to achieve increased food production and achieve food sufficiency at the state, national and continental level, the government must be ready to provide the enabling environment and ensure continuity of assisted agricultural policies to enhance food production.”

Africa president, Mbeki
Obasanjo lauded the Chief Executive Officer of Hyst Global Business Limited, Dr Biodun Onalaja for his courage and perseverance, hailing him for bracing all odds to invest in local production of rice and boosting food sufficiency in the country.

The former President said that the entrepreneur urged him to also prioritise supporting the local rice farmers.

Onalaja lauded Obasanjo’s visionary leadership, particularly in the area of boosting food production in the country, saying that his guidance and support over the years has been a major source of encouragement.

Onalaja said that Okun Rice Mill has the capacity to produce 100 metric tonnes of high-quality rice daily in various packing options from 1kg to 50kg.

He disclosed that the enterprise is aimed at creating employment opportunities and achieving sustainable food production in the country.

Onalaja said that the Okun Rice will be available for purchase as from mid-November, urging the rice farmers to bring their paddy rice for processing.

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He appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun and other government functionaries for their support and cooperation to ensure the success of the partnership with the state government.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo said that the Okun Rice venture is another success story of the Public Private Partnership of the present administration in the state.

Owotomo represented by the Director of Research, Planning and Statistics, Alhaji Suraj Ishola, in the ministry, said that the state government will continue to create an enabling environment and support the farmers and other investors in agricultural enterprise to thrive.

He said that the commitment of Governor Abiodun’s government to enhancing food security has been very encouraging with the provision of farm inputs among other support for thousands of farmers in the state.