The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Annual Colloquium of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter.
The colloquium, with the theme: “Galvanising Public and Private Stakeholders Towards Addressing Food Crisis in Nigeria: Public Relations As Key Driver,” is slated for Thursday, 3rd October, 2024 at the Cinema Hall, June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.
The commissioner’s acceptance to deliver the keynote address was conveyed during a courtesy visit to his office on Monday by a delegation of the Ogun NIPR led by its Chairman, Mrs Oluwaseun Boye.
Owotomo, who stated that the state government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun had invested heavily in the agricultural sector, expressed his willingness to provide a comprehensive overview of the government’s efforts to promote agriculture and ensure food security in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
He added that his address would focus on the opportunities and challenges in the sector, as well as the role of effective communication in boosting agricultural development.
The commissioner commended the Ogun NIPR for its various activities and initiatives, especially those bordering on partnerships and collaborations with relevant stakeholders to enhance good governance and reputation management in the state.
He noted that the theme of the upcoming colloquium was quite apt in view of the fact that the country was facing significant food security challenges.
“I thank you for coming to our office today. I believe it’s because of your love and respect. We really sincerely appreciate that. The way you have been following up on our activities at the Ministry and the government, we are also keenly watching your activities as a body and I can say that you have been doing a wonderful job,” Owotomo said.
The commissioner pledged to support the colloquium by rallying other government functionaries, experts and agencies, especially those operating within the agricultural sector, to grace the event.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr Femi Dokunmu, disclosed that the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Olusola Kehinde, will be the Lead Speaker at the colloquium while major players and key stakeholders in the food production value chain from the public and private sectors, within and outside Ogun State will attend as discussants and participants.
He added that the event will feature exhibitions, presentations and networking opportunities, providing a platform for stakeholders to discuss and proffer solutions to the challenges of agriculture and food security in the country.
Dokunmu said, “The NIPR is a professional body and we as public relations professionals have the mandate to ensure that government activities and issues within the nation which require public relations input are highlighted, not only for the Institute itself but also for the nation or the states where chapters are located.”
“The NIPR has a social responsibility to create awareness on attitudes and factors creating food crises and sensitise governments and private stakeholders to set agenda for necessary actions to mitigate the situation.”
“We believe that proper identification of real stakeholders in the agricultural value chain, designing effective ways to communicate new ideas and technical advice to them, and creating a conducive environment for farmers and agri-business to thrive have all become very germane to addressing food crisis in Nigeria.”
Also on the delegation that met with the Commissioner were the Secretary of Ogun NIPR, Mr. Kunle Olayeni, and a former Chapter Secretary, Chief Niyi Oduwole.
