Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has emphasized that achieving food security in Nigeria should be a shared responsibility among all citizens. Ojelabi made this call on Friday during the 9th Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting in Lagos, themed “Ensuring Food Security for a Sustainable Future: Youth Participation and Home-grown Farming.”
He highlighted the importance of collective action to address the current challenges of food insecurity in the country. “Today’s stakeholders’ meeting is about sensitizing, enlightening, and educating everyone on the need for us all to confront the issue of food security,” Ojelabi stated. “It is a collective responsibility, particularly for our youth, to encourage them to embrace farming, which is the core of the theme.”
Ojelabi urged individuals to cultivate crops that could at least feed their families, stressing that this would help reduce the impact of food shortages. He also reminded people of the Southwest’s rich agricultural heritage, encouraging them to return to farming to secure the nation’s food future.
The Lagos State government, according to Ojelabi, is actively supporting this initiative. Through the Ministry of Agriculture, the government provides poultry farmers with feed and offers assistance to farmers through awareness programs and the provision of essential resources.
In his welcome address, Mr. Abdul Ahmed Salawu, Executive Chairman of Shomolu Local Government Area, described the event as significant, particularly for the people of Shomolu. He explained that the gathering was an additional effort to alleviate poverty in the area, with the program serving a dual purpose: to account to the constituents and empower them.
Similarly, Hon. Abiodun Orekoya, Chairman of Shomolu Constituency 1 and the House Committee on Youth, Sports, and Social Development, emphasized the importance of the program. “We are here to evaluate our progress and identify areas for improvement,” Orekoya said, encouraging everyone to embrace home farming as a way to tackle food insecurity. He stressed that without agriculture, the nation cannot progress, noting that addressing hunger would significantly reduce poverty.
Orekoya also encouraged youths to pursue careers in farming and other trades such as fashion design, vulcanizing, trading, and other artisanal jobs. “We are ready to empower the youths in meaningful jobs,” he said.
Former Shomolu Local Government Chairman, Olorogun Gbolahan Bagostowe, echoed this sentiment, urging youths to use their time wisely and avoid engaging in unproductive activities.
The pathwaynews reported that 40 artisans were empowered at the event, with 10 each receiving hair dryers, vulcanizing machines, sewing machines, and grinding machines. Additionally, 80 beneficiaries were given financial support ranging from ₦50,000.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Taoreed Opeyemi, who received a vulcanizing machine, expressed his gratitude, thanking the organizers for the support. Similarly, Ms. Queen Benjamin, who received a sewing machine, wept with joy and thanked the organizers for the unexpected gesture, offering prayers for further blessings.
