UNESCO REF partners Ogun Govt, POWA on young women in agriculture
By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) has collaborated with Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) and Ogun Government to achieve the 2030 SDG goal 2.
The President, UNESCO REF, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, disclosed this in a interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Ladigbolu said the collaboration was part of an effort to achieve sustainable food production while also addressing the security risk that may fall out of food shortage in the country.
He added that UNESCO REF and POWA President, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun had visited Ogun government to seek for a constructive sustainable synergy for the easy attainment of achieving the UN goal 2.
He said the synergy was also to complement President Bola Tinubu’s ambition on food security, which he had already declared as a state of emergency.
He added that all these were geared towards achieving peace and economic diversification in the society.
Ladigbolu explained that working with the Nigeria police Force would enhance security through a non-kinetic approach to dealing with one factor that could contribute to societal disorder if not attended to on time.
“I believe solving food shortage  is directly contributing to addressing  goal 2 of the United Nations – zero hunger.
“This is akin to strengthening  and also enhancing the agricultural value chain to help create financial freedom among our populace and this will technically mitigate the high risk of disorderliness that may fall out from food shortage.
“Inline with our commitment, UNESCO REF and POWA president are working seamlessly to mobilise 100,000 women including widows and non widows to boost the dwindling workforce in the agricultural sector,”he said.
Ladigbolu said the partnership was also geared towards securing available lands for the project, while, thanking Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun for his commitment in integrating the young women in agriculture in the state.
Meanwhile, POWA President, Elizabeth Egbetokun had noted that the association recognised the critical role of women in agriculture, as an essential sector that does not only sustain livelihood but could create wealth for them.
She said that women play a pivotal role in advancing food security, adding that the young women in agriculture programme seeks to equip them with the tools, knowledge and opportunities needed to improve their livelihood.
“As the President of POWA, I have the privilege to first-hand data on the number of widows within our association as well as their plights in sustaining their respective families following the demise of their husbands.
” The effect of being bereaved and losing a breadwinner of the family can only be best imagined.
“The widows are left to go through different processes of healing and advancement and worse still, is the reality of being left to solely cater for themselves and the children as the case may be.
” For these widows, there is no better means of livelihood than agriculture, a sustainable, prosperous and robust venture that has numerous benefits for the citizens and the country,” she said.
Gov. Abiodun had also assured the association of the state government’s support of its young women in agriculture programme towards integrating the programme in the state.
He also advised on taking precautionary measures to address likely health issues that may arise from the programme. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede
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