As part of the Lagos State Legislators’ efforts to complement the initiatives of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, aimed at alleviating hardship and combating food insecurity, Hon. Prince Lawal Adeseyi, representing Ikeja Constituency 1, has called on youths and constituents to actively collaborate with the state government by embracing home-grown farming.
This appeal was made on Friday, 11th October 2024, during the 9th Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting, which was held simultaneously across the 40 constituencies of Lagos State, including Ikeja, where the event took place at Awori House, Oregun. The theme for the meeting was “Ensuring Food Security for a Sustainable Future: Youth Participation and Home-Grown Farming.”
In an interview with Cfame News, Hon. Prince Lawal Adeseyi expressed his appreciation to both the Speaker and the Almighty Allah for enabling the legislative arm to execute initiatives that aim to empower the populace and mitigate the current socio-economic challenges through agricultural motivation.
He urged constituents to work together towards restoring a lifestyle reminiscent of that of their forefathers, who enjoyed healthier diets by cultivating vegetables, yams, and millet. By reviving such agricultural practices, Lawal emphasized that the community could once again enjoy fresh, nutritious food.
The lawmaker also highlighted previous efforts under his leadership to promote health within the constituency through free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, and other health-related initiatives. He reiterated his belief that with determination and commitment, the youth can excel in building sustainable food systems by engaging in farming activities around their homes, even without significant challenges.
Speaker’s Address on Agricultural Sustainability
In a statement read on behalf of the Speaker, the importance of engaging agricultural experts to educate Lagosians on home-grown farming was stressed as a viable solution to ensure food security. This initiative aims to address the pressing issue of hunger across the state—locally expressed in Yoruba as “Ebi npa wa” (we are hungry).
The Speaker assured the public that the Lagos State House of Assembly is committed to collaborating with the executive arm to formulate policies and programmes that foster youth engagement in agriculture. This partnership would promote modern farming techniques, investment in technology, and research-driven practices. He added that access to financial resources, markets, and agricultural extension services would be provided to farmers, while efforts would also be made to promote sustainable consumption patterns and reduce food wastage.
Strengthening Food Systems Through “Ounje Eko”
The Speaker also referenced the state’s food initiative “Ounje Eko”, which was introduced several months ago to reduce food prices by 25 percent. This initiative has been instrumental in ensuring food sufficiency and cushioning the effects of rising living costs on citizens, particularly the underprivileged.
Hon. Lawal urged all residents to participate actively in building a secure food future for Lagos State and Nigeria, emphasizing that empowering the youth and supporting farmers would lead to a flourishing community with a sustainable food system beneficial to all.
Encouragement from Agricultural Experts and Local Leaders
Guest lecturer Comrade Olusola Olubukola, from the Ministry of Agriculture, encouraged residents not to let food shortages prevail. She advised that anyone facing challenges in farming could approach the ministry’s agencies to access seeds and technical support. She also promoted the idea of urban farming, suggesting coconut cultivation within the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) as an example.
Olubukola further emphasized the importance of parents motivating their children to engage in farming from an early age to foster self-reliance and mitigate the hardships caused by food scarcity.
Representing the Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Vice Chairman Barr. Olufunke Hassan called for continuous sensitization and interactive sessions to inspire public participation in agriculture. She stressed the need for collective efforts, pointing out that once challenges are identified and addressed, the community will contribute effectively to the development of sustainable farming practices.
She also warned against the tendency to expect quick rewards from farming, encouraging patience and perseverance among farmers and entrepreneurs.
Voices of Support from Local Stakeholders
Hon. Oluwakayode Opayemi, Leader of Onigbongbo LCDA, commended the state government’s adoption of modern farming techniques to tackle hunger. He noted the importance of addressing the rising cost of commodities and advocated for the 57 local government areas across Lagos State to fully embrace agricultural initiatives to guarantee food availability for all.
Alhaja Iyabo Aminat Akerele, Chairperson of Onigbongbo LCDA, appealed to residents to remain calm amid Nigeria’s current challenges, expressing confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking steps to improve the situation. She also lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for demonstrating effective leadership in addressing various challenges faced by Lagosians.
Akerele commended the interactive sessions held within Ikeja Constituency 1 for fostering communication between leaders and constituents. She concluded her remarks with a prayer for divine strength for Hon. Lawal to achieve the best outcomes from his initiatives.
In closing, all stakeholders reiterated their commitment to building a sustainable agricultural system, encouraging collaboration between government agencies, local leaders, market women, and the youth to create a thriving community where food security is guaranteed for all.
