Akure: The President of Ondo State Farmers Congress, Comrade Abayomi Monilari, has urged the government to provide subsidies and implement supportive policies to help farmers overcome challenges and attain food security. Monilari made this appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Eminent Peace Ambassador Award event, held at the Dome International Conference Centre in Akure.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the ceremony was organized to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Cooperatives, an annual event promoting the values of cooperation, mutual support, and collective action. This year’s theme underscored the significance of cooperative movements in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Monilari was recognized as an Eminent Peace Ambassador and Global Diplomat by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA).
Monilari highlighted that in developed countries where food sufficiency is prevalent, government subsidies enable farmers to sell food products affordably. He emphasized empowering smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of the agricultural sector, by providing them with training, resources, and market access. Monilari advocated for investments in agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and transportation networks, to boost the efficiency and productivity of the food system. His mission is to ensure that every citizen in Ondo State and Nigeria has access to nutritious food, understands the health status of the food they consume, and benefits from a resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system.
NAN reports that Monilari was honored alongside other distinguished Peace Ambassadors for his significant contributions to peacebuilding and crime reduction efforts in Ondo State. Monilari described the award as a strong motivation to continue his advocacy and community-driven interventions aimed at fostering harmony and security.
At the event, His Eminence Amb. Per Stafsen, the International Director of IAWPA, represented by Mr. Chidi Ehiriado, emphasized the importance of rejecting divisions based on religion or ethnicity. He urged citizens to think globally but act locally in their contributions to peace and development, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
A major highlight of the event was the conferment of Eminent Peace Ambassador and Global Diplomat honors on distinguished personalities for their commitment to peace and community development, including the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, and the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), Akogun Adetunji Adeleye.
Earlier, Apostle Francis Adegbenro, President of YES, emphasized the necessity of peace in nation building, stating that cooperation cannot exist without peace, and when youths are helpless, society becomes vulnerable. The event concluded with a renewed call for stakeholders to harness the power of cooperative systems in driving sustainable peace and development.