Africa must produce what it eats, Says Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday challenged Africa to produce what it eats and reduce its dependence on external countries.

Osinbajo made the call at a conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments holding in Abuja.

He said that the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, brought about food insecurity in Africa, stressing that there was need for Africa to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

Osinbajo stressed also that Africa must produce what it eats, noting the need for increased collaboration in handling issues in Africa.

He noted also that institutions like parliaments needed strong leadership.

“If there has ever been a time where strong parliaments are needed, it is now,’’ he said.

He said the African continent handled the COVID-19 pandemic well, adding, however, that the social and economic impacts of the pandemic were still being felt.

“The pandemic exposed the vulnerability of our health system; we must collectively invest in our health system so that we are better prepared to handle our health issues,’’ he stressed.

Osinbajo said that the pandemic revealed the importance of social protection schemes, adding that Africa must leverage on the pandemic experience for more effective and inclusive health systems.