Sequel to the progress of the food right rallies carried out in other geopolitical zones in Nigeria, Voices for Food and Security (VFS) took the campaign to the South Eastern Zone of the country, including Anambra State, August 24.
The rally, according to the group’s Zonal Coordinator, South South and South East, Mr John Ogbodo, was part of the activities of the group to create awareness on its existence in the South East. It involved members of the National Campaign on Right to Food, NCRF, who staged a peaceful rally in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, to sensitize the people on the need for the National Assembly to pass the Right to Food Bill currently before it.
The group marched from the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) in Awka, to Aroma Junction, before paying a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Awka, Igwe Gibson Nwosu; South East Conference of Speakers; Chairman of Anambra State Conference of INEC registered political parties; the chairman, Board of trustees and Director, Centre for Sustainable Development at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Managing Director, ABS, Nze Uche Nworah; as well as the Anambra State House of Assembly complex, where they were addressed by the clerk of the house.
At the State Assembly, the Speaker, Hon Rita Maduagwu, hailed the concept and said it was something that required concerted efforts to be actualized, and even promised to be part of the struggle for its fruition.
The Clerk of the House, Mr Pius Udo, also acknowledged the importance of the Bill, noting that it was also contained in the country’s Constitution.
He said the right for food was something every government at any level must provide for its citizens and assured the team of the readiness of the House to pass the Bill once it got to the House.