How food security can be fulcrum of national plans – UN

 

By Micheal Simire

United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator/United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Daouda Toure, stated during the recent launch of the African Human Development Report 2012 themed: “Towards a Food Secure Future” in Abuja that Africa can indeed build a food secure future. According to him, Nigeria has taken a leadership role and leading the way in the continental Agricultural Transformation Agenda

All around the world more than 140 countries have published some 600 National Human Development Reports (NHDRs) with UNDP support. In Nigeria, about six national reports have been produced including one that focused on the ‘Niger Delta’ and the other one on ‘Achieving Growth with Equity’. Through NHDRs, UNDP has contributed to policy dialogue at country level and other critical issues in the development paradigm in advancing human development. This report puts food security at the fore front of development agenda for the continent.

This Africa Human Development Report advocates people-centered and comprehensive approaches to food security, and is both timely and important. It reminds us that food security is basic to human development, and that food insecurity can trap generations of people in underdevelopment.

Nigeria’s contributions and expectations from Rio

 

By Michael Simire Deputy Editor, Sunday

“It is hoped that Nigeria will also gain from the Rio+20 conference in terms of capacity building, effective and proper participation, and derive benefits from the green climate fund that is expected to be put in place.” Those were the words of Nigeria’s Environment Minister, Hadiza Mailafia, last week in Abuja as she briefed some members of the House of Representatives on the nation’s preparations for the historic summit, tagged “Rio+20”.

Green Deal Nigeria

Last week, I had Christine K the Country Director of Heinrich Boell Foundation  in Nigeria, HBS  on my radio show “Green Angle” to discuss the Green Deal Nigeria Study. Just 2weeks earlier, #GreenDealNigeria trended a great deal on twitter. My colleagues @omojuwa, @abangmercy, @xeenarh and I, closely followed the debate and ensured it came alive on social media.  She spoke about the  important questions that must the answered in our quest for national development and as the world moves towards sustainable development.