Stakeholders across the three local council areas in Ikorodu Constituency 1 on Friday gathered at the Constituency Office of the Member, representing Ikorodu Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Gbolahan Ogunleye.
The Constituency Stakeholders’ meeting, themed “Ensuring Food Security for a Sustainable Future: Youth Participation and Home-Grown Farming,” served as a platform for stakeholders, comprising political office holders and residents to chart the course for food security in the State.
In his brief welcome address, Ogunleye stressed the need for Lagosians, especially Ikorodu Constituents to re-think farming, by embracing home-grown farming, stating that a State that cannot feed its residents was in big trouble.
He therefore charged the gathering, especially the youths to get involved by taking advantage of the numerous initiatives of the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture to boost farming and food production in the State.
Also, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Yekini Agbaje outlined the state government’s plans to assist small-scale farmers, offering them a clearer understanding of the programs and resources available to them.
In his contributions during the meeting, a former Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Hon S.O.B Agunbiade canvassed for an uptaker system for excess farm produce from the home grown initiatives so that, apart from feeding themselves, such farmers can as well sell directly to the government for sale at the State government’s Sunday markets.
He equally advised the State government to re-introduce the Sunday market with a view to cushioning the effects of the current economic hardships among residents.
He equally appealed to the constituents to bear with the Tinubu’s administration by praying for those in authority so that they can take the right decisions.
Sekumade of Ipakodo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Basiru Aremu Sotonwa in his brief remarks commended all the participants for adding their voices to the conversations on food security.
The monarch commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu for leading the campaign for home-grown farming.
Oba Sekumade equally encouraged them to join the movement, stating that even as a royal father, he equally has a small farm and poultry within his compound.
Oba Sotonwa further suggested the need for the State government to cultivate all the lands currently lying fallow across the State, particularly along Itoikin-Epe Road in Epe Local Government area of the State.
At the end of the highly engaging session, stakeholders were unanimous on the need for all Lagosians,. particularly the teeming youths to embrace farming, in the interest of themselves and the State as a whole.
Some of the dignitaries at the meeting were the Executive Chairmen of Ikorodu Local Government and Ikorodu North LCDA respectively, Hon Wasiu Adeshina and Builder Adebisi Adeola Banjo.
Others were a former Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Bashorun Babatunde Tajudeen Rotinwa and a former Lagos East Senatorial Leader of APC, Alh Gafar among other APC Chieftains.
