FOR A GREEN LAND WE MUST BE GREEN

“History teaches us that one of the most effective ways to pull people and entire Nations out of poverty is to invest in their Agriculture”. -Barack Obama. Human Environmental and Development Agenda (HEDA Resource centre) is one of the reputable non- governmental organisations in the field of sustaining the environment in Lagos, Nigeria organised a 4-day program for young people from 8th-11th October, 2012 tagged “Promoting Youth-centred activities in raising awareness and mobilising public support for Food Security and Livelihoods Protection” as part of their commitment to ending hunger, advancing food security while protecting the livelihoods of small scale farmers. The program, which encourages young people to advocate for small scale farmers and inspire them to embracing agriculture; understand the nitty- gritty of food production and distribution and use of social media as a tool for advocacy. Participating in the program helped improve my understanding of the issues plaguing small-scale farmers and use of social media as a tool for advancing my work objectives, it helped to deepen my knowledge of and interest in Agriculture. It also served as an eye opener that Nigerians are majorly fed by SSF and kept as safe as the ancient monks from the perils of the world`s hunger, homelessness and starvation and; made us realize that as young people, we can be the swords of change by giving voice to the voiceless-the small scale farmers. Amazingly, despite my being a graduate of agriculture, I never knew that cassava has seeds. Not only was I stunned seeing cassava seeds, I also couldn’t resist the urge of picking some as take away. Another profound experience I had during the program, one that left an indelible mark on me and makes me to question the decision of the federal government in purchasing and distributing 10 million mobile phones to farmers in Nigeria was the interaction I had with farmers at Oke-Osun narrating their ordeals. I had a one-on one- interaction with a woman farmer in Ilesa, Osun State. These people are faced with numerous challenges ranging from lack of access to basic services- such as information, land, water, extension services; lack of voice; fertilizers; low income etc yet, they strive to bring food to millions of Nigerian households using their available resources but still wallow in poverty. A vegetable farmer on her leased plot in Ilesa, Osun State. These challenges make Nigerian small-scale farmers extremely vulnerable than most to changes-global climate change that are beyond their control. So, this makes me wonder that in light of the weight faced by these farmers, the federal government is offering to distribute 10 million mobile phones to farmers, as if this should be the priority of the government in addressing issues faced by small scale farmers. It is indisputable that inadequate access of farmers to agricultural information is a key factor limiting the sector’s development in Nigeria and that mobile phones usage in some parts of the world has provided unique platforms towards food security efforts but IS THIS REALLY WHAT THE NIGERIAN RURAL FARMERS NEED NOW? Instead of distributing mobile phones, why not collate farmers’ number through Nigerian Communication Commission database and address the inadequate information via this means? Nigerian government needs to have a rethink on this decision as there is a great need for paradigm shift in information dissemination and management with clear understanding and consideration to the needs of farmers. There is also need to revisit and re- packages the extension workers and services for harnessing the potential in sustainable agriculture, being a resilient farming system to achieve food security. If we have to think, we can as well think big as a country and stop replicating actions and deeds from other countries which might not be good enough for our country.

REPORT OF PARTICIPATING AT THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNCSD, RIO+20 IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRASIL BETWEEN 10TH AND 23RD JUNE, 2012.

BACKGROUND The Rio+20 Conference are an international summit, which seeks to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, hosted the first Earth Summit in 1992 and again hosted the 2012 summit (20 years later) which is why it is referred to as Rio +20. Oxfam International Youth Partnership (OIYP) is an initiative of Oxfam International, managed by Oxfam Australia that mobilises a global network of young leaders from around the world to bring about positive and sustainable change in their communities. It does this through supporting young people to advocate for their rights and those of their communities; supporting youth led initiatives and facilitating skills and capacity building programs INTRODUCTION TITILOLA KAZEEM from Centre for 21st century Issues Lagos, Nigeria, was selected by OIYP to join other fourteen inspiring young leaders from around the world, who are committed to targeting issues related to Food Justice (which encompass issues such as Gender, Small Scale Farmers, Climate Change, Land/Water Grabs and Price Volatility) as representatives of the Oxfam International Youth Partnership Program (OIYP) Rio+20 Youth Delegation to attend the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) from June 11th – 23rd, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As one of the members of the OIYP Rio+20 youth delegation, l participated in a 6 week E Workshop from April 23rd – June 3rd, as well as the 3-day Workshop while in Rio de Janerio, in addition to the Conference and Side Events. This face-to-face workshop supported me to attend the Rio+20 Conference, by addressing the following specific objectives: • Support Action Partners to have a voice in global decision making forums on issues related to food justice and sustainable development • Support Action Partners to develop strategic relationships that lead to the development of networks and coalitions that will assist Action Partners in addressing food justice issues that impact their community • Support Action Partners to develop the knowledge and skills that will enable them to effectively engage in RIO+20 and its related events • Enable Oxfam to provide a youth voice on global food justice issues ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AT THE CONFERENCE • OIYP RIO +20 workshop • Youth blasts • Side events- youth fixing the broken food system through gender and climate change. • People`s summits • International women`s day march • Elders and younger`s meeting • UNCSD • Media appearances • Echoes from Rio OIYP RIO+20 Workshops: The OIYP RIO +20 workshop which took place between 11th- 15th June, 2012 at was facilitated by a team of people and organisations with diverse experiences working on food justices: Andre Frankovits- a Researcher, Kate Raworth- Oxfam GB Researcher, Tricia O`Rouke – Oxfam International Economic Justice Media Coordinator, Pedro of the elders and younger`s team, Simon of Oxfam brazil and host of others. The workshop was an interactive one which helped built my knowledge, experience and capacity on various topics ranging from the UN systems and processes, the Universal declaration of human rights, UN declaration on rights of the indigenous peoples, safe and just space for humanity, women and the right to food, media, advocacy and lobbying, community engagement etc. Youth blasts The youth blasts which was also refer to as conference of youth for RIO+20 was organized to strategise and mobilize young people for, during and after Rio+20. This even took place between 7th -12 June, 2012 at SulAmerica Convention Centre in Rio de Janeiro. The international segment of the youth blast took place between 10th -12th as the first two days was reserved only for Brazillian youth only. I participated in the closing ceremony of the youth blast which was on the 12th as the OIYP youth delegation also had a presentation on that that on the theme “Youth advocate for a just and sustainable food system at Rio+20”, here, i shared the implementation strategies to create a just and sustainable global food system through our work in our community in the context of climate change as related to broken food justice. SIDE EVENTs Not only do I participated in both official and unofficial side events at the Riocentro in Rio de janeiro but also facilitated a side events alongside other action partners at the Riocentro, the people `s summit and at the Sulamerica Convention centre respectively. Presenting at the youth blasts side events presenting at a side event in the people`s summit Titilola and Muhammed Yunus People`s summit The people`s summit was pulled together by the Brazillian groups and is being attended by social movements, indigenous peoples, activists and organization from all over the world who are coming together to identify real solutions to the multiple and rising crises we face as human on planet earth. At the people`s summit, i Was able to relate my community story as to the broken food system and also participate in the International women`s day march to ensure that women`s voice were heard. Titilola and Oxfam crew at the International Women`s day march Elder`s and younger`s meeting Meeting with the elders and the younger`s on the 17th June, 2012 was a platform to share experience and expectations of the conference and also to form alliance of young people and elders working together mutually to create change. We were also able to put forward our community voices through the elders to the negotiation. Echoes from Rio Echoes from Rio is an initiative of Zero Carbon Africa, which is staged to broadcast and inform young people across Africa who cannot make it to Rio+20 through the hosting of an online radio for the situation development throughout the whole sessions of the summit. Being a member of the Zero carbon Africa, i was saddled with the responsibility of taking interview of African delegates, African youths as well as prospective participants. Titilola interviewing the chief negotiator for Nigeria, Mr. Aniedu Osita Titilola and the Zero carbon Africa after an interview with the media personnel from Nigeria. Media appearances You can check on the following link to see more of articles, interview, picture and videos of the above activities http://ipsnews.net/2012/06/youth-farmers-have-great-needs-and-low-expectations-from-rio20/ http://enews.oxfam.org.au/rp//1237/process.clsp? http://oiyp.oxfam.org.au/action-partners/rio20-conference-2012