Lagos Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, expressed his administration’s commitment to foster partnerships with key stakeholders, to drive initiatives that will uplift the state’s agricultural sector, reduce waste, and ensure that every Lagosian has access to nutritious food.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed this commitment while speaking at the 11th Annual Summit of the Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS), with the theme: “Agenda for Sustainable Development and Food Security,” held at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, stated that by integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of the state’s development agenda, the government would achieve a Lagos that is resilient, self-sufficient, and a model for others to follow.
“Food security is a critical component in sustainable development. It ensures food availability, accessibility, affordability, and nutritional quality.
“Lagos, being a megacity, deals with the challenges of rapid urbanisation and a growing population. These factors, coupled with global economic challenges, place immense pressure on our resources and infrastructure,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu, while highlighting the initiatives put in place by his administration, noted that Lagos State had made significant strides in agriculture and food production through initiatives such as the Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme, Lagos Agri-partnership programme, and many others, but, there is still much to be done.
On the aptness of the summit, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the summit would undoubtedly light the path of sustainable solutions, saying that the summit is further proof of the staunch support of ALARHOSPS for this administration as the group, according to him, has consistently kept in step with the state government.
“The summit is further proof of the staunch support of ALARHOSPS for this administration as they have consistently kept in step with us, bringing to bear their wealth of experience in proffering solutions to burning issues such as this.
*I commend you for your continuous commitment and dedication to the growth and development of our dear state. Your show of solidarity is highly appreciated,” the governor said.
The Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Olabode Shuaheeb Agoro, in his goodwill message, also noted that improving agricultural productivity, reducing food waste, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and ensuring that the most vulnerable population is accessible to affordable and nutritious food in the country is essential.
Agoro added that achieving food security in Lagos State involved addressing multiple dimensions, including food availability, access, utilization, and stability.
He said that the focus on sustainable development and food security in the country was paramount at this “critical point where addressing issues such as environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and ensuring access to nutritious and sufficient food for all citizens is essential.”
He commended the association for their collective wisdom and insights, describing such as indispensable as the nation seeks to address critical issues such as agricultural innovation, sustainable land use, climate resilience, and the promotion of practices that ensure food security for all.
“Your leadership and experience are vital in shaping policies that will foster an environment conducive for sustainable development and food security,” Agoro said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President, ALARHOSPs, Otunba Nurudeen Ojora-Adejiyan, stated that the summit serves as a veritable platform that would provide long-lasting solutions to relevant issues in the country, especially food security.
According to him, food security is imperative to ensure a stable and prosperous society, noting that Nigeria, despite its cultural heritage and potential had faced challenges of food security, food storage, and many more and, therefore, the need to address the challenges through a comprehensive and proactive approach.
He, therefore, urged scholars and practitioners in the agricultural sectors to share their experiences and proffer long-lasting solutions that would ensure food security in the state and the country for the betterment of all.
Earlier in his keynote address, titled: “Agenda for sustainable development and food security in Lagos State, Nigeria driving food systems resilience in a food crisis and beyond,” Dr. Adetinji Orelope of World Bank urged the government to shift focus towards driving an integrated food system’s agenda that promote new ways of doing business, address market and institutional incentives and eschew.
Dr. Orelope noted that the food systems approach would be achieved through five Infrastructural Systems (I.S), which include: innovation, incentives, institutions, investment, and information, among others.
Dr. Orelope said that improving Agricultural sector growth and transformation Productivity growth (Rejuvenated Research and Extension Services) would further ensure food security in the country, adding that the government should enhance competitiveness (Market Development), and greater diversification of the production base of the whole agricultural value chain.
He maintained that supporting Agribusiness SMEs would play a critical role in linking smallholder producers to national markets, meeting food demand, and creating job opportunities.
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