LAGOS KICKS OFF 2026 WORLD FOOD DAY ACTIVITIES, BATN FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT POULTRY FARMERS
Read Time:2 Minute, 55 Second
By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Lagos State Government has kicked off activities for the 2026 World Food Day celebration with a road walk to raise awareness about food security and encourage residents to embrace agricultural production.
The walk, held on Thursday, began at JJT Park, opposite the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, proceeded to Allen Avenue Roundabout and returned to the starting point.
Organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, the exercise is part of activities lined up ahead of the World Food Day celebration on October 16, themed “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.”
Speaking with Hotjist during the exercise, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, said the walk was designed to sensitise residents to the importance of food security and the need to take practical steps towards ensuring a sustainable food supply.
“First, this walk is an awareness walk about the World Food Day. But more and beyond that is the fact that the theme for this year is innovate today so that we can nourish tomorrow. Whatever we do today is very important for our tomorrow,” Fashola said.
He stressed the link between food security and societal stability, adding, “Food security is social security. There are no two ways to it.”
Fashola urged residents to embrace small-scale farming, noting that food production does not necessarily require access to large expanses of land.
According to him, the state has provided farm lots and settlements for farmers, while promoting household farming methods such as planting in buckets, bags and tyres.
“You can do a very small thing,” he said, encouraging residents to explore opportunities to grow food within their homes.
He added that training programmes at the state’s agricultural extension facility in Oko-Oba cover areas including fish farming, crop production and hydroponics.
The special adviser also highlighted the state’s rice mill at Imota, noting that its operations underscore the need to increase local rice production.
On the impact of the state’s agricultural interventions, Fashola said about 2,000 people were empowered in different ways last year, adding that the state was looking towards reaching 3,500 this year.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, said the foundation would give out three-tier poultry pens or stands to farmers, particularly those involved in layer production, at the World Food Day grand finale.
Odusanya said the foundation had supported agricultural activities across different parts of the value chain, including aquaculture, poultry and vegetable farming.
“We supported aquaculture farmers for a long time. We are supporting poultry farmers now. We are supporting vegetable farmers. So, it’s a holistic book across the value chain and we are happy to be part of it,” he said.
He invited residents and stakeholders to attend the grand finale on October 16 at the Police College Parade Ground in Ikeja, where the poultry support initiative would take place.
Other activities lined up for the celebration include the Lagos Agric Scholars Quiz Competition scheduled for October 14 at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin, and the grand finale on October 16, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour.
World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The annual event promotes awareness of hunger, food security and the need for sustainable food systems.
Happy
100 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
1
0