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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pointed to a lack of continuity in policies and frequent reversals as significant barriers to achieving food security in Africa and hindering the continent’s overall progress.
Obasanjo recommended that the government abstain from participating in production activities, advocating instead for the creation of a supportive environment that enables the private sector to take charge of the nation’s economic progress.
Obasanjo asserted that the hunger crisis impacting Nigeria and Africa would likely have been less dire if a consistent approach to developmental and food production efforts had been preserved over time.
Obasanjo shared his insights on Thursday during the unveiling of Okun Rice, which was held at Asero, a locality in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He lamented the fact that successive administrations have not fostered a culture of continuity, pointing out that this shortcoming has had a profound negative effect on food production and agricultural methods in Nigeria.
The former President said “Part of our problems in Nigeria and Africa as a whole is lack of continuity and this is very bad for every development at family level, state level, national level and continental.
“What I found so ridiculous is that because there has been no continuity in so many things we are doing, you will hear people saying ‘for the first time as if Nigeria is just beginning today, whereas the problem is lack of continuity.
“When you go back, you will find out that some people have done what they are talking about in the past and if we had continued, our situation wouldn’t have been as bad as it is, particularly in the area of food production.
“I have always said government has no business in production, the primary duty of the government is to provide the enabling environment for agricultural production and other business enterprises to thrive so as to achieve food security.
Read also: Obasanjo Pins Nigeria’s Disunity On Early Regional Divisions
“So, I am saying that for us to achieve increased food production and achieve food sufficiency at the state, national and continental levels, the government must be ready to provide the enabling environment and ensure continuity of assisted agricultural policies to enhance food production”.
Obasanjo lauded the Chief Executive Officer of Hyst Global Business Limited, Dr Biodun Onalaja for his courage and perseverance, hailing him for bracing all odds to invest in local production of rice and boosting food sufficiency in the country.
In his remarks, Onalaja said the rice mill could produce 100 metric tonnes of high-quality rice daily in various packing options from 1kg to 50kg.
