The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has reaffirmed the Assembly’s dedication to tackling food insecurity in the state. Speaking at the 9th Constituency Stakeholders Meeting Engagement, held simultaneously across the 40 House of Assembly constituencies themed “Ensuring Food Security For A Sustainable Future”, Obasa emphasized the importance of a collective effort between the government and the people to address the growing challenge of food insufficiency.
“Food insecurity remains a multi-faceted challenge that requires the combined efforts of both government and the people. We at the Lagos State House of Assembly are fully committed to addressing this issue, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal to eradicate poverty,” Obasa said during his address to stakeholders.
The Speaker further outlined the Assembly’s vision of transforming Lagos into a producing state, rather than a consuming one, within the agricultural value chain. “Our vision is to make Lagos a producing state, not just a consuming one, within the agriculture value chain. This is crucial to tackling the present reality of food insufficiency,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of a robust agricultural sector in achieving food security.
Obasa elaborated on the legislative actions that have been taken to support the state’s agricultural agenda. He cited the establishment of the 34-hectare Ikorodu Fish Farm Estate, a flagship project in Lagos’ agricultural transformation. “Through our legislative actions, we’ve supported transformational laws and policies that promote sustainable agricultural practices. One notable example is the establishment of the Ikorodu Fish Farm Estate, which partners with 400 fish farmers and has the capacity to process 10,000 tons of fish annually,” he said.
The Speaker also commended the success of the AGRIC-YES programme, which, along with the Oke-Aro and Gberigbe Pig Farm Estates, has been pivotal in expanding the state’s agricultural output. “These estates have partnered with 1,200 farmers and are capable of processing up to 88,000 mature pigs per year. These initiatives are positioning Lagos for food sufficiency and economic growth,” Obasa noted, underscoring the economic potential of the state’s agricultural sector.
Furthermore, Obasa pointed to the significance of the anti-open grazing law, passed in September 2021, which has provided a conducive environment for farming activities. “It is important to highlight the role of our anti-open grazing law, which has provided an enabling environment for farming activities to thrive across the state,” he stated, adding that the law has contributed to reducing conflicts between farmers and herders.
The Speaker concluded his remarks by calling on residents to explore opportunities in agriculture, particularly animal husbandry, as part of the state’s broader strategy to achieve food sufficiency. “To achieve our food sufficiency goals, we must continue to widen our farming capacity and encourage residents to explore animal husbandry as a viable option,” Obasa urged.
In closing, Obasa expressed confidence in the future of Lagos, emphasizing the need for collaboration in securing a sustainable and prosperous state. “Together, we can secure a sustainable future for Lagos,” he concluded.
The Stakeholders Meeting Engagement provided a platform for residents, lawmakers, and key stakeholders to discuss critical issues affecting the state, with food security emerging as a top priority for the Lagos State House of Assembly.
