Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sade Oguntola
Published on 2024-02-29 03:05:17
Professor Abraham Onigbinde, an expert in human nutrition and dietetics, recently spoke about the rise in cases of malnutrition in Nigeria. He highlighted that despite the government’s efforts to improve food and nutrition security, the impact of their policies and programs was limited. This was discussed during the 10th memorial lecture of Professor Isaac Akinyele at the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Ibadan. The theme of the lecture was ‘Past Insights, Current Perspectives and Future Opportunities in Nutrition Security in Nigeria.’
Professor Onigbinde, who teaches human nutrition and biochemistry at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, emphasized that the ineffectiveness of these policies was due to inconsistencies, lack of qualified manpower for leadership, lack of continuity in government approaches, poor funding, and deficiencies in institutions. He pointed out that the achievements in food and nutrition security are not meeting the current demands, with emerging challenges like demographic changes, internal migration, climate change, and the exclusion of certain groups like men and the elderly from intervention strategies.
To tackle these issues, Professor Onigbinde suggested concrete policies to encourage youth participation in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of engaging young people in the sector. He also mentioned the need for modern agricultural technologies that cater to the needs of end-users. Additionally, he called for the depoliticization of food and nutrition security, urging the government to treat food as a national project and hunger as a universal concern that transcends religious or ethnic boundaries.
He stressed that addressing current challenges and considering emerging issues are crucial for achieving food security in Nigeria. The goal, as he stated, is for no Nigerian to go to bed hungry. The director of the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, Professor Dosu Ojengbede, encouraged students to emulate Professor Akinyele’s team-work spirit and strive for excellence in their endeavors.
During the event, notable figures like Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Akin Onigbinde, Emeritus Professor Tola Atinmo, Professor Olufunke Keshiro, Professor Grace Fadupin, and Dr. Sylvester Igedioh, along with the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, praised the late Professor Akinyele’s contributions to the field of nutrition sciences. Adebowale, speaking through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju, highlighted Akinyele’s intellectual brilliance, compassion, and dedication to teaching, noting that his legacy continues to impact countless individuals.
In conclusion, the discussion at the memorial lecture underscored the importance of addressing food and nutrition security challenges in Nigeria through comprehensive policies, youth engagement in agriculture, technological advancements in farming, and a collective effort to end hunger at a national level. The legacy of Professor Isaac Akinyele in the field of nutrition sciences serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to ensure a nourished and healthy population in Nigeria.
Read the original article on Nigerian Tribune
