By Chukwuemeka Anyikwa
The World Food Day, celebrated on the 16th of October annually, gives an opportunity to think upon the relevance of food in our daily lives, as food is so fundamental to human existence. It is also a wake-up call to address the urgent challenge of food inflation, food insecurity, and malnourishment that still exist in Nigeria despite the country’s enormous agricultural potential.
The difficulties of food related issues in Nigeria, is closely linked to the country’s economic problems. The depreciation of the naira, the currency of Nigeria, first of all, has caused a sharp increase in the cost of basic necessities, especially food and this has made a big difference for a lot of people to access satisfying or hygienic meals.
Food prices are on the rise, and necessities like rice, maize, and even the once-affordable egg are now considered luxury items for many Nigerian households. Many Nigerians can no longer afford to conveniently eat eggs since they have grown so pricey, despite being known as the least expensive source of protein. This shows that Nigeria is facing a more serious nutritional crisis than only food insecurity because a large number of individuals are unable to meet their daily dietary demands.
This has serious consequences as several health issues have long been associated with poor nutrition, and in Nigeria, conditions including kwashiorkor, rickets, and anaemia are sadly widespread. These diseases, which are frequently brought on by shortages in vitamins and proteins, are a direct outcome of the nation’s issues on food security.
In line with this challenge, a non-governmental organisation devoted to sustainability, the Green-Climate Restoration Goal Initiative (GGI), acknowledges the interdependence of these problems and has made it its goal to empower Nigerians through programs that support self-sufficiency and sustainable livelihoods because it recognizes that a single entity cannot fight the struggle against poverty and hunger.
Hence the partnership with TPO Foundation on livestock empowerment program where free and adequately vaccinated lifestock (chickens and fishes) are being given out in a bid to empower Nigerians in Kwara State this month.
GGI’s actions as part of this ongoing effort are intended to promote long-term, sustainable solutions rather than only provide short-term food help. A crucial component of this plan is promoting local food production because it not only meets the immediate need for food but also lessens the impact of food inflation by lowering dependency on pricey, imported foods.
With the help of GGI’s effort, people would be able to generate their own food and break the cycle of hunger that so many Nigerians experience. Although there is no denying the complexity of the Nigerian food insecurity issue, initiatives like GGI’s and collaborations with charities like TPO offer hope for a brighter future. Their initiatives serve as a reminder that combating poverty and hunger calls for creative, multidimensional approaches that go beyond basic relief efforts like food handouts. It involves creating structures that enable people to support their communities and themselves.
GGI encourages everyone in Nigeria and throughout the world to take up the battle against hunger and food insecurity on this World Food Day. The path to eliminating these issues may be long, but it is possible to achieve a future free from poverty and hunger by working together and emphasizing sustainable behaviours.
It is crucial that we remember those who are currently struggling to get their next meal and make a commitment to creating a more just and secure food future for everyone as we celebrate the food on our tables today.
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