Food Security: LASG Seeks More Partnership With Critical Stakeholders

Lagos State commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya has stressed the need for more partnership to ensure that there is food security in the country.

Olusanya who stated this at the just-concluded ‘Right to Food’ workshop held in Ikeja, described food security as pivotal roles that need more collaboration with critical stakeholders in line with the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his team.

Enumerating numerous steps taken by the governor and his team towards addressing the food insecurity, the commissioner represented by state coordinator, Agro-Processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support, Mrs Ranti Sagoe-Oviebo said, “Tackle high cost of food insecurity and checkmate after harvest spoilage of farm products needs the input of private sectors to fast track the plan of food provision.”

The commissioner noted that the call by participants in the programme for government accountability cannot be achieved without discipline of individuality.

“Indiscipline individuals cannot make implementation of government policy towards food sufficiency a reality.

“Is it the government that is making most people adulterate food and drinks or unjustifiable hike of prices of food? At least Sanwo-Olu has tried towards eliminating middlemen from farm produce in order to reduce cost of farm products,” the commissioner said.

The event was organised by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) in collaboration with OXFAM and other civil society organisations.

In his keynote address, the executive director of GIFSEP, Dr Michael David, described the Right to Food Act – passed in 2023 – as a landmark in Nigeria’s legislative journey which should yield positive impact if it is fully implemented.