Segun Showunmi in Ibadan
A Non-Governmental Organisation, LifeSupport Network (LSN) has affirmed that improving standard of living of poor Nigerians was it’s goal, noting that effect of hunger on many Nigerians needs urgent intervention.
Penpushing reports that the Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), of the Network Miss Itunu Oluwa Ajayi-Albert made this known while speaking with journalists during a one-day skills acquisition program tagged ‘Food For All Strategic Summit’, FOFASS-1, held in Akure, Ondo State
The Chief Executive Officer said that the organization which just offered free training on subsistence agriculture to Nigerians on skills in cottage farming and food production techniques was established for youth empowerment, explaining that its operational scope also includes betterments of people’s lives through intervention programs and rehabilitative initiatives.
Penpushing further reports that, she said over 60 participants were trained on subsistence agriculture for self-reliance in food security and sufficiency such as snail farming, fish farming, organic farming, and livestock among others.
The Network boss stated that her organization had held similar skill acquisition programs for youths in about six states in Nigeria and other countries like Gayaza in Uganda and Nairobi Kenya, urging participants to apply the skills they learnt to grow what they eat.
Penpushing also reports that, she said the organization was going to follow up with participants to evaluate their performances after the summit and assist diligent ones to access grants needed to take beyond the subsistence levels.
The Chief Executive Officer advised the participants to use the opportunity in making something good for their living, adding that the body will continue to work on measures to improve living standards of the poor across the globe.
Penpushing reports that, the keynote speaker at the event, Prof. Olaniyi Babayemi, in his paper title: “Strategies to Achieving Food Security in Nigeria” expressed worries over consequences of hunger in Nigeria, saying that limited access to food has negative consequences on people’s health.
The speaker while speaking on the specific strategies to solve food insecurity in Nigeria advised the government to provide orientation programmes and the enable environment for diversification of rural economies, invest in rural road infrastructure in order to enhance distribution networks that connect farms to the markets, adaptation strategies and policy responses to global change among others.
The Executive Director Ondo State Chapter of the body, Mr. Lanre Emmanuel Alegbeleye said the organization held the program in pursuance of its objectives in helping the poor to develop mechanisms for their survival, assuring the beneficiaries that the organisation would monitor them in ensuring they put the skills to profitable use.
Penpushing further reports that some of the participants thanked the organizers, stating that their expectations were met beyond their imagination during the summit and promised to embark on serious practice in their areas of choices learned.
Meanwhile, the participants were awarded certificates of participation and given variety of vegetable seeds to kickstart their cottage farms at the end of the summit.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
