UPDATED: SANWO-OLU CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION AGAINST HUNGER AT WORLD FOOD DAY 2025
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for collective action to combat rising food costs and hunger, both in the state and across the country.
Sanwo-Olu made the call while speaking at the grand finale of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems’ event held to commemorate the 2025 World Food Day at the Police College Parade Ground, Ikeja, on Thursday.
The event began on October 7 with a series of pre-event activities, including a press briefing, sensitization walk, and the Lagos Agricultural Scholars Quiz Competition.
According to the Governor, the celebration serves as a collective call to action against hunger and malnutrition.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said, “The theme: ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,’ highlights the urgent need for collaboration among governments, the private sector, development organisations, and communities to transform agri-food systems, promote healthy diets, and safeguard our environment.”
“For Lagos State, the challenge is unique. Despite being the smallest in landmass, Lagos is home to over 22 million people, making it the most densely populated state in Nigeria,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the state recognises that feeding a vast population requires innovation, bold investments, and robust partnerships.
“Our dedication is evident in the continuous provision of support for food production, infrastructure, and market systems designed to reduce high food prices and build a sustainable food reserve management structure.”
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, said the celebration was meant to showcase Lagos as an agrarian state and celebrate stakeholders in the agricultural sector who have contributed to ensuring food availability.
Organised in partnership with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), the event recognised the efforts of various food associations that have contributed to the state’s food sustainability goals.
Farm Junction received the Best Agro-processors Award, Erikorodo Poultry Association bagged the Best Farm Enterprise Award, while Ajara Farm Settlement won the Best Farm Settlement Award.
Other awards presented included Best Livestock Champion, won by Lagos Island Local Government, and Best Aquaculture Champion, won by Apapa Local Government, among others.
Yarub Al-Bahrani, a board director of BATNF, reiterated that the key to building a sustainable food system lies in uplifting farmers who ensure food availability.
“The World Food Day 2025, under the inspiring theme, ‘Hand in Hand for Better Food and Better Future,’ echoes the mission of the BATN Foundation, which over the last two decades has remained committed to empowering rural Nigeria and advocating for the rights of smallholder farmers, laying the groundwork for a truly sustainable future,” he noted.
Al-Bahrani reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
He added: “When we buy from local farmers, we contribute to the health of our economy and help sustain the livelihoods of those who work tirelessly to put food on our tables.”
According to him, “We need everyone, the government, private sector, civil society and individuals to run behind the scores. Food security is not something we can do alone, but it’s a collaborative effort.”
The World Food Day is an annual global event held every October 16 to raise awareness about hunger, food insecurity, and the need for collective action to improve food systems worldwide.
Top government officials and stakeholders are also in attendance at the event.
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