The Farm and Infrastructure Foundation (FIF) in collaboration with the Voices for Food and Security in Nigeria (VFS), recently organized a one-day rally and advocacy for the South South Zone which commenced from Edo state on August 22, with the theme, ”Right to food”.
The Right to Food campaign, Fides learnt, is anchored on a collective belief that the sluggish pace of human and economic development, as well as the present state of insecurity of life in Nigeria, is rooted in the protracted suffering of the majority of citizens from hunger and malnutrition which has reached alarming proportions.
The campaign which was led by the founder and chairman of FIF and VFS, Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola, was taken to the Edo State House of Assembly; the palace of Oba of Benin; National Television Authority (NTA), as well as the headquarters of Edo State Broadcasting Service (ESBS).
Speaking during the advocacy visit/rally, Prof. Ayoola said the quick passage of the Right to Food Bill by the Senate and the Federal House of Representatives in Abuja would give impetus to the means of food production, preservation and distribution of food across the country.
This is even as he said that the contemporary notion of food as human right placed much burden on public inquisition on the government and demanded that it be given legal attention.
Responding during the advocacy visit to his palace, the Oba of Benin, Eheneden Erediuwa, Ewuare 11, represented by the Oba Ewuare II Foundation, Miss Ifueko Aideyan, pledged the Monarch’s readiness to partner with FIF, in ensuring the passage of the Right to Food Bill, while he encouraged them to continue in the good work.
Contributing, the former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, endorsed the campaign, while he promised to relate the campaign message to his political party to ensure more support for the Bill to become a proper law constituted in the country.