The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has identified insecurity in rural communities as the greatest threat to food production in Nigeria, warning that efforts to achieve food sufficiency and stabilize prices would remain elusive without decisive action to address the country's security challenges.
Monarch's Remarks at Inter-Faith Prayer Service
Speaking at an inter-faith prayer service held at the ancient Alaafin's Palace in Oyo on Friday, the monarch said no agricultural policy could yield the desired results if farmers remained unable to safely access their farmlands. According to a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin said hopes of reducing the nation's dependence on food imports would remain a mirage until government at all levels mounted a coordinated and effective response to insecurity.
The event was attended by members of the Oyo traditional establishment, religious leaders, community stakeholders, village heads, and residents from across the ancient town.
Impact of Insecurity on Farmers
The monarch lamented that many farmers in rural communities now operate under constant fear of attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities. "A nation where food producers must negotiate access to their fields with armed bandits cannot claim to be serious about food security," he said.
Oba Owoade stressed that security of lives and property remains the bedrock of any prosperous society, noting that fear and instability undermine economic activities, weaken social cohesion, and erode public confidence. He argued that kidnapping and rural insecurity had continued to cripple agricultural productivity by forcing farmers off their lands, disrupting local supply chains, and diverting scarce resources to ransom payments.
According to him, the consequences include rising food inflation, dwindling agricultural output, and widespread food shortages in affected communities. "Farmers are often compelled to sell livestock and other productive assets to secure the release of abducted relatives or meet ransom demands, leaving them without the capital needed to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and farm equipment," he said.
The Alaafin added that insecurity had severely constrained local commerce and weakened rural economies, resulting in reduced food production and higher prices across many parts of the country.
Significance of Inter-Faith Prayer
On the significance of the inter-faith prayer service, the monarch said prayer remained a vital instrument for seeking divine intervention in times of crisis, fostering peace, unity, and mutual understanding among citizens. He noted that lasting peace could only be achieved through justice, dialogue, and collective commitment to harmonious coexistence, adding that praying together for a common cause helps bridge ethnic, religious, and social divides.
Also speaking, the Queen Consort, Ayaba Abiwunmi Owoade, expressed appreciation to residents for their support and cooperation, urging them to sustain peaceful relations and continue praying for the development of the kingdom. She emphasized that unity, love, and mutual understanding remained essential ingredients for communal progress.
Other speakers at the event, including the Chief Imam of Oyo, Bilaal Oseni Akinola, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria, community leaders, and security stakeholders, stressed the need for peaceful coexistence and support for the traditional institution.
