Monarch harps on massive agricultural investment to curb food insecurity in Nigeria

A Traditional Ruler in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, Oba Àrẹ Raphael Sunday has called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu led federal government to invest massively in the agricultural sector to curb poverty and hunger in the country.

Oba Raphael Sunday who is the Asọ́lọ̀ of Isọlọ̀, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State made the call while speaking at 2023 King’s New Yam Festival of the community where he played host to different traditional rulers and chieftains of various communities who came to rejoice with Isọlọ̀ community to celebrate the festival.

The Asọ́lọ̀ of Isọlọ̀, emphasized on the need for the three tiers of governments to urgently tackle rising food insecurity amid the country’s geometric population growth.

While analyzing the significance of the New Yam Festival in the community, Oba Raphael Sunday said with huge investment, through provision of necessary agricultural inputs by the federal government, key stakeholders and relevant agencies, the community can embark on large scale farming in yam production.

Also speaking, the Olowa of Isọlọ̀, Chief Tayo Ajayi who thanked God for allowing them to witness another New Yam Festival, stressed the need for the community and its neighboring communities to be united.

The Olowa of Isọlọ̀ therefore described the festival as a channel and centre of unity, whereby the culture of the Isọlọ̀ community is being promoted within and to the outside world.

Chief Ajayi, also urged President Tinubu to divert a large percentage of funds that would be saved from fuel subsidy removal to develop Agricultural sector across the 774 local government areas of the country.