Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun on Thursday emphasised the deliberate deployment of Public Relations mechanisms to shift discouraging and negative perceptions about the practice of agriculture in Nigeria.
Abiodun said the move is necessary to remove every obstacle that is making the agricultural practice less desirable and thereby fuelling the food crisis the country is currently grappling with.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo made this call on Thursday at the Annual Colloquium of the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations held at the Cinema Hall of June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
The Colloquium has its theme “Galvanising Public and Private Stakeholders Towards Addressing Food Crisis in Nigeria: Public Relations As Key Driver”.
He said “When we hear “public relations,” many think of media campaigns and press releases. But in the context of our food crisis, public relations is far more than just communication. It is about building bridges — between the government and the private sector, between investors and farmers, and between policymakers and the Nigerian people.
“It is about shaping narratives that inspire action, trust, and cooperation.
We must use public relations to shift perceptions — to show that agriculture is not a last resort for the struggling, but a lucrative, sustainable business.
“Public relations can give a voice to our farmers, empowering them to share their successes and attract investment. It can also help us connect urban Nigerians with the realities of rural food production, bridging the gap between consumption and cultivation.
“The conversation is not just about farming; it’s about rebranding agriculture as a vehicle for prosperity, opportunity, and national growth. We must paint a vivid picture of a future where agriculture is a viable path for the youth, where private investments in agriculture thrive, and where every Nigerian has access to affordable, nutritious food.”
Abiodun said that his administration has supported over 12,000 farmers with farming inputs such as chemicals, and fertilizers while over 4000 hectares of land have been mechanised across the state among other several interventions aimed at boosting food production in the state.
Speaking on the theme of the colloquium, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Professor Olusola Kehinde said that with the fast-approaching 2030 deadline for the achievement of the Sustainable.
Development Goals – one of which is ‘Zero Hunger’, Nigeria must roll up its sleeves and get even more ‘focussed busy’ in dismantling all roadblocks in achieving this goal.
Kehinde said that World Food Reports released earlier this year revealed that 18.6 million Nigerians were facing acute hunger, and 43.7 million Nigerians showing crisis-level hunger coping strategies as of March 2024.
He said that this report is abundantly confirming that “we have a ticking time bomb in our hands, and are also sitting on a keg of gun powder”.
He lauded the NIPR for organising the colloquium saying that such engagement facilitates communication, foster
collaborations, and galvanise the public and private sector in this all-important task of addressing the food crisis in Nigeria.
The VC said that the surging food crisis requires immediate action spanning humanitarian, and social protection, and galvanizing public and private stakeholders in driving food security measures.
In his remarks at the event, the President and Chairman of Council, NIPR, Dr Ike Nneliaku represented by a Council member, Mr Tope Adaramola tasked the government to address problems of insecurity which is sending many farmers away from their farms and thus aggravating the food crisis
Nneliaku also called for increased sensitisation of Nigerians on the need to use every available space around them for farming purposes.
He commended the state chapter of the NIPR for always raising the bar and helping to amplify the ideals of the association through their activities and lofty programmes.
Welcoming the participants, the state Chairman of NIPR, Mrs Oluwaseun Boye said that the colloquium is not just an event, but a clarion call to action to confront food insecurity affecting millions of Nigerians.
Boye said that “despite being a nation blessed with vast arable land, rich soil, and agricultural potential, Nigeria continues to import over $10 billion worth of food annually.
“This paradox of being a food-producing nation while simultaneously battling hunger is the reason for the theme of this colloquium, we feel that there is a disconnect somewhere and a gathering like this where we bring the stakeholders together can help show the right path to follow”.
The highlight of the event includes the unveiling of the image maker journal of the association.
