Osun Emerges Southwest Coordinator for Food System Transformation

The Nigerian Government has appointed Osun State as the coordinating point for the implementation of the Food System Transformation Pathways in the South West geopolitical zone, an initiative targeted at boosting nutritious and sufficient food production in Nigeria.

The Food System Transformation Pathways was initiated by the United Nations to facilitate well-functioning food systems that will provide higher incomes for smallholder farmers and small/medium scale food enterprises.

It equally aims to empower women, increase youth employment, and the amount of money circulating in the economy.

The goals of the Food System Transformation Pathways by 2030 include reducing poverty and unemployment, especially among youths.

It is also to reduce hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition as well as reducing food imports and promote sustainable food trade.

In a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, the goals of the initiative equally involved increased women empowerment in agriculture index score and increased environmental performance index score.

In the letter addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke and copied to his counterparts in Oyo and Ekiti states, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu said the implementation for the Food System Transformation Pathways in Oyo and Ekiti states will be coordinated from Osun state.

The Minister noted that the decision is in line with the effort of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration step towards achieving nutritious and food security as well as meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) objectives in the country.

Also Read: FAO Reaffirms Commitment to Accelerate Pace of Agrifood Systems Transformation

“Your Excellency may wish to be informed that the coordination of the Three States in the South West Zone is part of efforts to complement the steps towards achieving nutritious and food security as well as SDGs in Nigeria. This is also part of the step being taken to deepen the achievement of Nigeria as presented at the Stock Taking Moment (STM) in Rome that was led by Senator Kashim Shettima from 24-26 July, 2023.” the letter conveying the appointment of Osun State reads in part.

The coordination arrangement is to consolidate on the agreed recommendations at the Retreat of the State Commissioners of Economic Planning, Agriculture and Health held in Abuja from 7- 8 March, 2024 that reiterated the need for quarterly review of implementation on geopolitical zonal basis.

The letter further stated that Commissioners for Economic Planning, Agriculture and Health in all the 36 States plus the FCT would be expected to work together for effective delivery of the implementation strategy and multisectoral plan of action for food and Nutrition.

ITF Headquarters

In the same vein, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has announced Osun State as its South-West Zonal Headquarters.

The ITF Management announced this to the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Technical and Vocational Education, Mr Dapo Ademola-Adesina, in Osogbo, the state capital.

The commissioner had on the 30th of May 2024, during a courtesy visit to the agency, proposed a collaboration with the Osun State Board for Technical and Vocational Education in the areas of Vocational and Skill Training, Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) as well as Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

The proposal became successful as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the industrial Training Fund, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, sent his team to inspect various vocational sites in Osun state on the 13th of August, 2024.

Ademola-Adesina said the Strategic Partnership is in accordance with the vision of Governor Ademola Adeleke to reduce unemployment rate and promote the acquisition and utilisation of relevant skills for economic development in the state.