The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter has welcomed the decision of the Ogun State Government to introduce a price control mechanism and suspend all forms of market levies in the state, describing it as a significant step in the right direction.
The professional body also commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for rebranding the bulk purchase company as Gateway Trading Company towards ensuring affordability of the cost of food prices in the state.
In a statement signed by Mrs Oluwaseun Boye and Mr Kunle Olayeni, the Chairman and Secretary of the Chapter respectively, the Ogun NIPR noted that the move by the state government aligned with its issues management and public advocacy approach.
The Ogun NIPR applauded Abiodun for coming up with measures to regulate prices and prevent exploitation as well as eliminate unnecessary fees that burden traders and consumers.
As part of proactive efforts to mitigate the current food crisis in the country and draw the attention of relevant stakeholders, the professional body said it had equally concluded arrangements to organise its 2024 Annual Colloquium themed, "Galvanizing Public and Private Stakeholders Towards Addressing Food Crisis in Nigeria: Public Relations as Key Driver."
The statement read, "The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, is thrilled about the Ogun State Government's decision to introduce a price control mechanism and eliminate market levies. The move is a significant step in the right direction and, if effectively executed, it will go a long way towards ensuring affordability of food prices in the state.
"At the Ogun State Chapter of NIPR, we have observed with delight the consistency with which the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has been rolling out various policies and programmes aimed at addressing the spate of food insecurity and inflationary trends within the economy.
"We note the Governor's adoption and deployment of public relations strategies comprising dialogue, advocacy and direct engagement and mobilisation of stakeholders relevant to addressing the situation. These include, in particular, the Governor's personal visits and support given to various farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs; spaced time-table given to civil servants to work from home; conversion of vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles from petrol to gas-powered; planned introduction of commodity markets under the Gateway Trading Company and the recent direct engagement with market women and drivers to check undue high prices of goods and transportation in the state.
"The Chapter commends the Governor for being responsive to the yearnings of the people and for putting in place such proactive measures to alleviate the hardship being faced by the people.
"We urge the Governor to sustain these efforts and put in place measures to ensure efficiency, accountability and equitable accessibility of citizens to the commodities to be sold by the Gateway Trading Company.
"According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria's food inflation rate hit a record high of 40.66 percent in May 2024 and the United Nations has predicted that this situation may continue and lead to more hunger in the country, if not addressed.
"In furtherance of our commitment to setting agenda for necessary actions, we have concluded arrangements to organise our 2024 Colloquium at the Cinema Hall of June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta on 3rd October, 2024. The event will draw major players in the food production value chain from the public and private sectors, including Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Olusola Kehinde, who is scheduled as the Lead Speaker."
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