Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
September 29, 2022.
The Canadian Government has partnered with the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on food security and humanitarian assistance in Borno state.
According to the organisation, the partnership was to raise food security and mindful of the 13-year conflict that displaced over 2.5 people in the Northeast.
Unveiling the support, yesterday (Thursday), in Maiduguri at the exhibition of agricultural products, the Canadian High Commissioner, James Christoff disclosed: “There are many issuers here in Borno state. I want to see how we can support the FAO to make a difference in people’s lives.”
He added that what he saw at the exhibition of agricultural products, are the outcome of the expertise of good ideas to restore people’s livelihoods with resilience.
He noted that the concerns of the people are on food security, economic livelihoods and the protection of their lives in the ongoing conflict,
Besides, he added that the skills transfer of the FAO in food production benefited women, men, young girls and their families.
He stated that it is remarkable of the Canadian Government to support the UN organisation and the state government.
“I have learnt about the expertise that the FAO can bring to this kind of environment in the Borno state,” he said.
On food security, he said that the Canadian government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance, because of the scale of conflict in the region.
He said the support has been translated into real impact on people’s lives, as their livelihoods are being restored in the over a decade conflict.
Continued; “I will go back to Abuja with two messages. There are real issues here in the state, but through good ideas and programming with a prudent support to make a difference on people’s lives,
While thanking the Commissioner, the FAO representative in Nigeria, Fred Kafeero, said: “The organisation work in the state is visible in terms of improving food security, but mindful of the crisis that has been faced for over a decade.
“We’re proud to be partners of the Canadian government in supporting our efforts to deal with issues of food insecurity in the state.”
According to him, the FAO deals with the issues that are fundamental to the root causes of conflict and long-term development issues.
He said that the people’s resilience are also to be strengthened to achieve food security in the state.
