The Lagos State Government has emphasized the need for a collective effort to combat the rising cost of food and hunger both in the state and across the country.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, made this call during a sensitization walk from Alausa Secretariat to Allen Avenue Roundabout, Ikeja, in commemoration of this year’s World Food Day.
She highlighted the importance of everyone embracing subsistence farming, stating that the responsibility of feeding the population should not be left solely to farmers and the government. This, she said, is key to addressing the ongoing food shortages in the country.
The Commissioner also noted that the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration has launched several initiatives, including providing regular support to farmers with farm inputs, improving logistics, and encouraging young farmers to increase access to safe and hygienic food across the state.
Additionally, Ms. Olusanya urged the public to adopt a more responsible attitude towards food consumption, discouraging deliberate wastage in the face of food scarcity and rising costs.
One of the state’s key partners, the ORIGIN Group, represented by its Group Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Adebayo Awoniyi-Adeoshun, commended the state government for its ongoing efforts and collaboration to ensure a steady food supply to residents across the metropolis.
Adebayo Awoniyi-Adeoshun disclosed that their mission was to identify the specific needs of the people, with food being essential, and to ensure that the right to food is not taken for granted.
He also emphasized that the country must be proactive in addressing the warning issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which predicts that droughts will affect about 308 million people in Africa next year.
Mrs. Rafiat Gawat of the TGI Group noted that their collaboration with the government over the years has greatly impacted the agricultural value chain in the state.
On his part, the Head of Media for Foodclique Support Initiative, Faruk Adetola, stated that thousands of Nigerians in over 15 states have benefitted from their free food distribution over the last twelve years.
He further mentioned that the group plans to hold a symposium to educate the public on the dangers of food insecurity and will also distribute free food to residents of Ogba on October 16th.
Some of the partners working with the Lagos State Government on this year’s World Food Day include ORIGIN, TGI Group, Olam Agri, Providus Bank, Zenith Bank, and British American Tobacco Nigeria.
World Food Day is celebrated every October 16th to draw global attention to challenges in food accessibility and explore possible solutions to this issue. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.”
