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.
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.
He added that the pandemic also exposed Africa to lapses in
technology and said it was important for the legislature to leverage on
technology.
Also addressing the conference, Dr Akinwumi Adesina,
President, African Development Bank, commended the African speakers for
their efforts to organise it.
Adesina said that the conference was a place where challenges facing Africans should be raised and solutions proffered.
He
said the next pandemic was around the corner and Africa must not
outsource resources, adding that she must build health defence
mechanisms by developing local vaccines.
“We must encourage Africa-based vaccine manufacturing and legislations must be designed towards this.
“The
war in Russia and Ukraine has led to a looming food crisis; legislation
must be made to boost food production. Africa must feed itself and do
so with pride,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Mr Mohamed Ali, Speaker
of the National Assembly of Djibouti and chairperson of the Executive
Committee of the African Parliamentary Union said it was time to focus
on the youth.
“We should rely on our youth because they have shown capacity for innovation,’’ he said.
He
called for the removal of Customs duties in African trade to enhance
free trade, while calling for rejigging of the African economy.
Ali said that dialogue remained the best way to resolve conflict and power must be gotten through free and fair election.
Mrs
Joy Matiya, Deputy Secretary-General, Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association, reinstated the call for debt relief for Africa.
said there was the need to continue to argue for better governance
policies globally, while making case for gender equality in Africa.
(NAN)