The event was attended by Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo Olu represented by his deputy Hamzat, the Head of Service Olabode Agoro, top government officials, body of permanent secretaries, members of ALARHOSPS and others .
We’ll continue to provide food for Lagosians –Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Of Lagos
The Lagos State government has stated that despite the economic situation, it will continue to take all the necessary measures within its power to make food available for its citizens. Dr Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos State who represented the governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State stated this at the 11th summit of the Association of the Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS) with the theme “Agenda for Sustainable Development and Food Security held in Lagos on Wednesday.
Hamzat who highlighted the various measures taken by the state like the Sunday food market, the partnership with other states on rice production etc, stated “that despite the population of people that enter Lagos everyday, the state will continue to partner with relevant bodies to provide food which is very essential for human survival to its citizens.” The Governor who encouraged residents of the State to get involved in agriculture said “apart from developing domestic self sufficiency in agriculture, the government is also ensuring adequate storage.”
He also commended the DAWN commission for the efforts in tackling food insecurity in the South West, adding that the formation of Amotekun is one of the steps.
This was even as food experts who spoke at the event stated that in order to bring the nation out of the food crisis which has reached an alarming rate with its attendant negative effects on the individuals and the government, the government and private sector should prioritize agriculture and give it the desired attention it deserves.
The speakers were of the view that globally, there are crises and disasters, both man-made and natural, that have threatened the availability and sustainability of food supply and went ahead to proffer some solutions.
Speaking on the topic, Driving Food Systems Resilience in a Food Crisis and Beyond, Dr Adetunji Oredipe, an Agricultural economist with World bank who noted that the world is facing a food crisis of unprecedented proportions highlighted some of the challenges facing food security and opined that for a way out, “we must re-strategize to focus on an effective food system by partnerships across development finance, countries, the private sector and civil society organisations.”
On his part, Dr Oyeleye, DG of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN commission who spoke on DAWN and Food Security in South West: The journey so far who also agreed that Nigeria serves as a stark example of the global food security challenges took the audience down memory lane during the first republic when agricultural development was made a central priority in Western Nigeria and the positive results. He pointed out some of the key factors that contribute to food insecurity like low budget for agriculture, Land tenure conflicts, inadequate monitoring and evaluation, insecurity and shortage of extension service staff etc and also disclosed the various steps taken by DAWN towards addressing the food challenges and some investment opportunities within the sector that can be harnessed.
Earlier on, Otunba Nurudeen Ojora-Adejiyan, President of the Association of the Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS) who stated that it was the importance attached to food security that informed the choice of the topic and that “the summit will interrogate our inability to to achieve sustainable food supply despite our numerous natural, human and material resources and proffer veritable solutions.”
Otunba Ojora-Adejiyan who described food security as a cornerstone of any stable and prosperous society, opined that “every individual and group should have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious foods to lead healthy lives.”
He stated further that Nigeria, despite her rich agricultural heritage and potential, faces significant challenges. This, he noted, should be addressed through a comprehensive and collaborative approach, involving both state and non-state actors.
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