2021 IYD: Kogi NYCN crave for synergy to End food crisis in Nigeria

The National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Kogi State Chapter, has called for synergy among relevant agencies in the country to put an end to the current food crisis amid the growing population in Nigeria.

The state chairman of NYCN, Usman Ogohi Samuel who made the call on Thursday to commemorate the 2021 International Youth Day with the theme "Transforming Food Systems, Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary said the none availability of food to feed the growing population in Nigeria calls for concerted efforts to see that the problem is solved.

Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that Ogohi, explained that with the world’s population expected to increase by Two billion people in the next 30 years, it is imperative to address crucial challenges such as the inter-linkages embodied by the 2030 Agenda including poverty reduction; social inclusion; health care; biodiversity conservation; and climate change mitigation. 

He added that through youth education, engagement, innovation and entrepreneurial solutions, this year’s International Youth Day aims to provide a platform for young people to continue the momentum from the ECOSOC Youth Forum in the lead up to the high-level Food Systems Summit. 

According to him, Youth engagement is germane to the transformation of food systems, and as such, should be incorporated into all Summit work streams and structures. 

The success of this effort he added will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people, stressing that consumption patterns that impact one’s personal health and that of the planet are instilled early in life. 

"Today global agriculture is facing major challenges, including feeding a growing world population. There is need to address rural poverty, and the management of ecosystem goods and services in light of global environmental changes, evident through climate change" he stressed.

Ogohi, advised that the state government through the state Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and other relevant related ministry and agencies should leverage and follow up with the recommendation that will be derived from the arrangement of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Major Group for Children and Youth who agreed to work in collaboration with DESA, with the aim of carrying out a global survey in collaboration with partners around the world, to report on youth’s perspectives related to issues pertaining to nutrition, food security, environmental sustainability, food consumption habits, food access and cost, and mechanisms for youth inclusion in the dialogues of transforming food systems. 

He however appreciated Governor Yahaya Bello whose area of focus and achievement according to him is rapidly addressing the above concerns. His blueprint plans for the state he said was caved out in the early days of his administration. 

He added Kogi Youth have no doubt in the capacity of the current government in infusing to it plans the resolution and action plans that would be release globally for the betterment of youth in the state, and securing the future of her citizen. 

Other activities carried out by the Council to mark the International YouthDay are, planting of trees at Muslim CommunitySchool, taking of student for excursion at two animal farms in the state capital, involvement in a discussion program concerning the role of youth in peace building and prevention of violent extremism and a football match between the State NYCN and NYSC CDS at Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.

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