IITA Goodwill Ambassador and former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Africa becomes a food-secure continent and that the zero hunger vision is achieved.
Chief Obasanjo said this during a courtesy call by IITA’s newly appointed Director General, Dr Simeon Ehui, accompanied by Dr Nteranya Sanginga, the outgoing Director General. “As the Institute’s Goodwill Ambassador, I am working with key stakeholders, including heads of governments and policymakers on the continent, to ensure that Africa is food-sufficient and would not have to rely on exporting produce for processing in the future,” he said.
Following his first visit after being appointed IITA’s 8th Director General, Dr Ehui visited Chief Obasanjo in Abeokuta to discuss strategies to improve food and nutrition security, achieve zero hunger, and broker collaboration within the research, policy-making, and development communities in Africa.
In his welcome remarks, Chief Obasanjo expressed delight at Dr Ehui’s record of accomplishments in research and sustainable development. He said he is confident that his tenure will further impact the food systems positively across the continent.
IITA’s outgoing DG, Dr Sanginga, said his successor would give the same level of engagement and support Chief Obasanjo received during his tenure. He added that Dr Ehui is ready to work with him as they both share the same vision of seeing Africa become a food-sufficient continent.
The IITA Goodwill Ambassador revealed that there is a need for Africa to maximize revenue through agriculture, “instead of taking our agricultural produce out for processing, we can look inward and keep the revenue on the continent,” he stated.
Dr Ehui reassured Chief Obasanjo that while the conversations will be carried forward, he intends to build on the existing structures, systems, and partnerships established by his predecessor.
Contributed by Timilehin Osunde
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