Food Vendors Seek Govt Policies To Ensure Abundance As Nigeria Marks World Food Day

 

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2019 World Food Day, Food Vendors in the state of Osun on Wednesday embarked on awareness campaign against intake of unhealthy foods as well as maintaining proper hygiene.

The awareness which took the Members of the Association of Food Vendors in Nigeria, Osun State chapter through the popular Olaiya Junction, MDS, Orisumbare market, Freedom Park, Old Garage, Oke Fia, Alekunwodo to Fakunle area all in Osogbo, the state capital had them with various inscriptions to convey their message.

Speaking with journalists during the awareness programme, the Coordinator of AVFIN in Osun, Comrade Muideen Alao said the programme was organized in line with the World Health Organization standards especially as it regards consumption of good and healthy foods.

Alao said in the WHO’s theme for this year’s celebration, “Our Actions Are Our Future. Healthy Diets for A #ZeroHunger World” focusing on tackling global hunger, the association is embarking on measures to ensure the society is aware of the five safety aids to guard against taking unhealthy foods.

These aids according to him include; Keeping the food clean, Separation of Raw food from cooked food, Keeping food at safe temperature, cooking thoroughly and using safe water and raw materials.

Alao also urged the federal government to embark on initiatives and policies that would make food ambundant in the country.

“The minister for Agriculture recently said there is no hunger in the country. This is far from the truth. The government should work to ensure that food is sufficiently available in the country as soon as possible.”

“The decision of government to close borders is a welcome development. If we can all be patient with them and grow what we eat with the support of all and sundry, there will be food in much more quantities in the next 3 to 4 years. We should all join hands to embrace what we produce locally.”

The Osun Coordinator of Assoxiation of Food Vendors In Nigeria (AFVIN) said the inauguration of the new executives of the association in the state holds on the 23rd of October where proper deliberations and orientation on the activities of the association will be unveiled for members of the public.