The Delta State Local Government Service Commission Chairman, Hon. Dcn Joseph Otirhue, has called on the 774 LGAs in the Country to key into Agriculture and Agro-Allied ventures and adopt technological innovations in order to attain sustainable development through food security.
Hon. Otirhue made this call on the occasion of the 2nd Regional Food Science and Technology Summit of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Edo/Delta Chapter at the 250 capacity conference hall of Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.
Speaking during the event, Otirhue, challenged the participants to take advantage of the summit to devise enduring policies and technology-driven innovations to unlock the keys to food security and promote healthy nutrition for healthy living.
Speaking further, the Chairman who was in attendance with the management team of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission said the theme of the Summit “Innovative Food Science and Technology: Driving Sustainable Growth and National Development ,” was apt as it draws attention of all relevant stakeholders in Government at all levels, organized private sector and participants in the nation’s informal sector, to the critical imperative of giving due attention to addressing the challenges posed by food insecurity. He added that the nation’s survival is woven to food security.
While appreciating and commending the Institute for the invite and the opportunity to address the participants, Otirhue told the house that the Commission had resolved to use its mandate to enhance the capacity of the workforce of the Unified Local Government Service of the State especially members of staff of the Agro-Allied Cadres in order to foster the success of His Excellency Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon.Sheriff Oberevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda.
Speaking earlier, the lead Speaker, Dr. Sylvanus Ogbor, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Soleta Foods Ltd, challenged participants to consider innovative ways of producing and packaging of the varieties of food in our locality to ensure food security.
He also urged them to research new ways of preserving food in our locality to ensure food safety adding that the era of keeping research works in the shelves was over. He stressed that professionals in the field of Food Science and Technology were saddled with the task of creating solutions to problems of food insecurity in order to eliminate unwholesome foods from circulation and boost healthy living.
