Stakeholders in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State on Friday called on the government and residents to prioritize food production over estate development in order to tackle hunger.

Stakeholders in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State on Friday called on the government and residents to prioritize food production over estate development in order to tackle hunger.

At the Lagos State House of Assembly’s 9th Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting, held in Ojokoro, Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency II, participants emphasized the need to prioritize food production in response to rising hunger. This meeting, organized simultaneously across all 40 constituencies in Lagos State, focused on the theme: “Ensuring Food Security for a Sustainable Future: Youth Participation and Home-Grown Farming.”

Emmanuel Olotu, the representative for Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency II, stated that the current food shortages and rising prices demand that food production takes precedence over other concerns. He urged residents and stakeholders to utilize all available land, including homes, for agricultural purposes. Olotu highlighted that combating food insecurity is now the top priority and encouraged everyone to focus on addressing food scarcity and inflation.

Olotu noted that the House of Assembly has created a supportive environment for farming by passing laws like the anti-open grazing legislation to protect farmlands. He stressed the importance of home-grown farming systems that can adapt to climate change, economic challenges, and ensure access to healthy food while preserving natural resources. According to him, expanding farming capacity, particularly by involving youth in agriculture, innovation, and entrepreneurship, is essential for boosting food production and reducing costs.

Omolade Balogun, delivering a lecture on the theme, emphasized the collective responsibility of food production and urged each Community Development Association (CDA) to focus on their strengths. He called on council chairmen to organize events where residents can showcase their home-grown produce to promote local agriculture.

Shakin Agbayewa, Deputy Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State, called for more land allocation for farming rather than residential estates, citing the need for food security. He criticized the state’s current policy, which favors estate development over farmland, and urged the government to provide better access to land and ensure security for farmers.

Ojokoro LCDA Chairman, Hammed Tijani, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting food production, particularly during economic hardships. He emphasized that farming should not be left to the elderly alone. Former Lagos lawmaker Rasheed Makinde also encouraged urban farming, noting that it is a common practice in developed countries. Alhaja Silifat Olujimi, the Iyaloja General of Ojokoro LCDA, encouraged residents to start farming, even if they don’t have large plots of land.

The meeting brought together various community stakeholders, including traditional, religious, and political leaders, youth groups, and artisans.