Obasanjo Inaugurates Scheme to End Hunger by 2030

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday inaugurated the Zero Hunger Strategic Initiative aimed at putting an end to hunger and poverty in the country by 2030.

He said the launch ushers a new journey to redefine the destiny of hundreds of millions of people in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.

The five- year scheme would be piloted in four states including Ebonyi, Benue, Ogun and Sokoto and would aim towards unlocking the the potential of the country and ensure that the nation emancipate from the shackles of hunger and poverty.

He said:”The Zero Hunger in Nigeria cannot bé left to governments alone, neither can it be left to the civil society not the sector alone. There must be strong support for farmers at all levels and for producers or farmers organizations, and government must additionally provide the right policies.”The former president is the Chairman of the Nigeria Zero Hunger Forum which produced the Nigeria Zero Hunger. Strategic Review Report.

The actions recommended in the report would be implemented in all the 36 states including the FCT from January 2017 while the forum would support, encourage and monitor progress in the four pilot states, according to Obasanjo adding that the Governors of these states have already agreed to implement the Zero Hunger Road Map a priority.

He said the forum had put time frame for the achievement of the goals, adding that by January 2019 eight more states would be added to the focal states and by January 2021 all 36 States including Abuja would be keyed in.

He said:”There’s never been a shortage of good prescriptions and reports for reducing hunger in Nigeria but the implementation of these have been poor and unsustainable”

He said with the establishment of the Nigeira Zero Hunger Forum situated at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), recommendations contained in the synthesis report and individual subcommittee reports would all be implemented.

Meawhile, Chairman, Hiers Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu who spoke on behalf of the sub committees said the private sector has a major role role to play in the achievement of the Zero Hunger and urged the federal and state government to provide the enabling environment.