A Public Health expert, Prof. Diran Oyewole has called for the review of Nigeria’s constitution to include right to adequate food and nutrition.
Oyewole made the call on Wednesday at a seminar to mark the 2024 World Food Day (WFD) organised by Institute For Dietetics in Nigeria (IDN), Oyo State Chapter.
The theme for 2024 WFD is “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future: Leave No One Behind.”
Oyewole, from Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, said that the Right to Foods law was International and should also be implemented in Nigeria.
He called on the government to create an enabling environment for citizens to have access food as their rights.
“Distributing bags of rice and money to people only does not mean giving them the right to food, let there be economic policies that will make people generate their income.
“No matter how much food you distribute to the people without the right economic policies, it will not make any positive impact.
“Government at all levels and all relevant stakeholders have roles to play to ensure that people have the right to food, the right to food is a legally binding right,” he said.
Oyewole emphasised that food should be accessible to the physically vulnerable including children, the elderly, prisoners and people in remote areas.
He said that to ensure the right to food and adequate nutrition, the country should legislate and enforce punitive actions against corruption along the food chain.
He remarked that the education system needed re-appraisal to promote human skills development along with educational training.
Oyewole said international bodies and donors could provide technical aid support to develop human skills for better livelihood.
He also urged the media to always raise awareness on roles of government in food and nutrition security issues including right to food.
The public health expert further enjoined academic, research institutions, dietetics and nutrition professionals to conduct relevant researches on food security and nutrition.
Oyewole noted that the theme for the WFD was apt, saying that everyone deserved to have access to quantity and quality foods.
“Individuals could engage in food production in backyard/home gardening, people can convert their talents to a money-making venture, government alone cannot do it,” he said.
He also charged the private sector to collaborate with the communities on projects that would enhance right to food.
In his remarks, the Chairman of IDN, Oyo State, Mr Tunde Ajobo, urged citizens reflect on how they could contribute to making the right to food a reality for everyone, especially the most vulnerable in the society.
“Let us use our collective expertise, influence, and passion to ensure that every Nigerian enjoys the right to food – not as a privilege, but as a fundamental human right.
“On this World Food Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a better life and a brighter future for all through our work in dietetics, nutrition, and food security.”
NAN
