Hon. Ugheoke Calls for Regional Food Security Revolution on World Food Day

By Iyojo Ameh

As the world commemorates the 2025 World Food Day, the Executive Director of Commercial and Environmental Development at the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Hon.

Joseph Ayegbeni Ugheoke, has called for a united regional approach to achieving sustainable food security and agricultural transformation across the South-South region.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Hon. Ugheoke said this year’s theme, “Water is Life, Water is Food — Leave No One Behind,” aligns perfectly with the Commission’s ongoing programmes aimed at boosting food production, supporting farmers, and improving rural livelihoods across the Niger Delta and beyond.

“Our region is richly blessed with fertile land and abundant water resources. Yet, millions still face food insecurity due to poor agricultural infrastructure, limited irrigation systems, and environmental degradation. The time has come for the South-South to move from potential to productivity,” Ugheoke stated.

He reaffirmed the SSDC’s commitment to championing regional agricultural initiatives such as irrigation farming, agro-industrial clusters, youth-in-agriculture empowerment programmes, and climate-smart agricultural practices. According to him, achieving food sufficiency is not merely an economic goal but a crucial step toward restoring dignity, reducing poverty, and fostering peace across communities.

“The South-South Development Commission, under the leadership of our Managing Director, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, is working closely with state governments, local farmers, and private investors to transform agriculture into a wealth-creating sector,” Ugheoke noted. “We are prioritizing sustainable irrigation, fishery development, cassava processing hubs, and oil palm revitalization projects.”

Hon. Ugheoke also expressed appreciation to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support toward regional development through agricultural reforms and empowerment programmes targeted at farmers across the country.

He urged all stakeholders including government agencies, private investors, development partners, and local communities to collaborate to make the South-South region a model for food sufficiency and agricultural resilience in Nigeria.