News in Brief:
– The Lagos State Government has urged traders to avoid price gouging and has implemented initiatives like food hubs for easy distribution.
– It also emphasised the importance of addressing food security to improve the lives of Nigerians.
The Lagos State Government has urged traders and business owners in the state to refrain from exploiting the current economic situation by hiking prices at the expense of consumers.
The state’s commissioner for agriculture, Abiola Olusanya, made this known to the press while embarking on activities to mark this year’s World Food Day.
According to the commissioner, despite challenges in price regulation, the state government has engaged in various efforts to ensure food security and affordability.
Essentially, these efforts include food hubs in Mushin and the OUNJE EKO program. The initiatives aim to provide staple foods to residents at subsidised prices.
Additionally, Olusanya noted that the government regularly distributes free food boxes to residents. She disclosed that the administration is currently developing a logistics food hub in Epe, designed to store food for up to 180 days to mitigate shortages.
Furthermore, the commissioner revealed that farmers in the Ojo area of the state have been provided with free seedlings under the Lagos Cares and Appeals project. She restated the state’s commitment to increasing agricultural productivity with these and other initiatives.
World Food Day: a call for food security
Meantime, the state government has released a roster of activities to mark this year’s World Food Day. The events which started with a road walk on October 8, is expected to culminate in a grand finale in the state capital of Ikeja on the 16th.
This year’s World Food Day, with the theme: Right to Foods for a Better Future and a Better Life, will also witness quiz competitions by young farmers in the state, and a food systems summit.
In this regard, Olusanya emphasised the importance of addressing food security, poverty, and hunger as a means to improving the lives and livelihood of Nigerians.
Also, she highlighted the global issues surrounding food access and security, stating that a country that ensures food availability to all its citizens will be strong and stable.
Meantime, the World Food Day initiative, first observed in 1979 and celebrated annually on October 16, raises awareness about global hunger.
It also encourages action to ensure a sustainable future for food, people, and the planet. It was created by FAO’s Member Countries at the Organization’s 20th General Conference in November of above stated year.
