LASG Reiterates Commitment To Food Security In Lagos

AgegePulse Magazine 

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment  to fully implement the five-year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap to achieve food security in the state.

(M) Ms Abisola Olusanya, Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, R: HoS, Hon. Agoro, (2nd L) House Committee on Agriculture, Mr. Olotu

The five-year Agricultural Food Systems Roadmap was launched in 2021 by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure Lagosians are secured when it comes to food security.

Speaking at the event, Lagos Food Systems Stakeholders’ Breakfast Meeting held yesterday at Protea Hotel, Alausa, Ikeja organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, stated that the state government would provide funds for agric service providers, improved rice paddy production and land bank collaboration with sister states.

“We will go live on eight projects which include, Central Logistics Hub, Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE), capacity building for horticulture stakeholders, full operations and capacity building for stakeholders in the Lagos Food Production Centres.

“Others are execution of state-wide intervention and Green Wall Initiative,” she said.

Ms. Abisola listed others as the establishment of Agricultural Value Chains Entreprise Activation Programme, Agri-thon, Lagos Cares, Lagos Entrepreneurship Programme and the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme.

“The state government will also create the Lagos Agrinnovation Clusters, the Food Value Chains’ Destination, the Lagos Central Food Security System and Logistics Hub and the Middle Level Agro Product Hub.”

Olusanya said part of the roadmap was to increase production of rice paddy in order to meet with the growing rice consumption of the state.

The commissioner said the state government would increase the production of rice paddy by partnering with other sister states such as Niger and Kebbi states on land bank collaboration.

Olusanya listed the projects to be undertaken by the state government to include Lagos Rice Mill, the Central Logistics Hub, – the Red Meat Initiative, Lagos Feedlot System and Butchers’ Academy among others.

The commissioner said the ministry would set up the Lagos feedlot system, establishment of Butchers’ Academy, creation of Last mile meat Shop.

Olusanya said the purpose of the meeting was to intimate the stakeholders on the ministry’s activities for the year 2024 and also get their contributions.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on Agriculture, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, said the state government would require N50 billion to produce 100,000 tonnes of rice paddy in 2024.

Fashola said the Imota Rice Mill was able to produce 15,000 tonnes of rice paddy in 2023.

“We started off with about 5,000 tonnes of paddy and with the genuity of the team we were able to partner with the Commodity and Exchange Board that brought another close to 10,000 paddy for us to end the year.

“We were able to do roughly about 15,000 tonnes of paddy which is over 120,000 bags of rice in 2023, but this year we are hoping to do 100,000 tonnes of paddy.

“Believe me, that is not cheap because last year we started about N200,000 per ton but today as I speak, the cost of paddy is about N510,000 per ton.

“In other words, if we are going to do 100,000 tonnes per paddy we will need N50 billion,” he said.

Fashola said the state government was currently in talks with Niger and Kebbi states to give them farmers on a large scale that it could buy paddy from at reasonable costs.

Earlier, The state’s Head of Civil Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, said the state government was bringing back operation feed the nation by allowing the civil servants to participate in the agricultural sector.

Agoro said his mother, a retired civil servant, was also into agriculture produce, urging the civil servants in the state to engage in the agriculture.

In a separate remarks, Mr. Mosopefolu George, the State Commissioner for Economy, Planning and Budget, said the state government has already increased its budget on agriculture.

George attributed the increase to the importance of food chain and agriculture system to the state.

He noted that the ministry had been doing well in the area of rice mills, food and logistics hub just to mention a few.

Chairman Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Mr Emmanuel Olotu, urged stakeholders in the agricultural space to improve ministry's production in 2024.

Olotu commended the Ministry of Agriculture for its contributions in heading the programme to allow them to collectively share the goal and projects for the year 2024.

He said: “Our share goal should be the development of resilient and efficient that can benefit our farmers and customers, and improve on the agricultural plan agenda.

“Lagos State through the Ministry of Agriculture is to create agro stakeholders in order to leverage on the developmental agenda of the state.”

Olotu said as agro stakeholders their role was pivotal by maximising the ground work led by the ministry.

He urged stakeholders to collectively shape the food system by offering a full support to unlock the full potential of food system and contribute to the development of agriculture in state.

Lagos Lawmakers, Adejare, Ogundimu Reiterate Commitment To 2023 BAT Project | AgegePulse Magazine

...Sensitised Members On Importance of Registration / Revalidation

APC leaders in Agege, Hon. (Dr) Samuel Babatunde Adejare, Hon. Oluyinka Ogundinmu and other political leaders in Agege Federal Constituency, yesterday have reiterated their commitment to making the Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2023 project a reality.

The lawmakers disclosed this at the sensitization programme held in Agege to sensitize the constituents on the need for everyone to register and revalidate their All Progressives Party (APC) memberships.

The lawmakers in a msaavie move joined other political leaders and traditional rulers in Agege in the widely attended programme which was used as an avenue to educate the constituents about their political rights and civic responsibilities, while also canvassing constituents for the APC membership registration commencing on Tuesday, 9th of February 2021.

In a separate remarks, Member of the House of Representatives representing Agege Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr) Samuel Babatunde Adejare expressed his delight at the fact that the sensitization programme is not a caucus meeting, stating that unity and togetherness is vital for the progress of the constituency and the party alike. He also took the opportunity to declared himself a huge fan and protege of the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu popularly known as Jagaban Borgu. He said, _“I want you all to know that I am more of a Tinubu person than an APC person. He is the Jagaban of Nigeria and I strongly believe in his dreams, ideology and ambition. I will continue to advocate towards the BAT 2023 project". "A victory for BAT is a victory for all". _“However, what is important right now is that you take advantage of this period to update your membership status with our great party, APC”_, Adejare added. Also addressing what people described as mammoth crowd, member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Agege Constituency II, Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, urged all APC faithfuls and loyalists to take the registration serious, stating that it is part of their civic responsibilities and an opportunity to electronic their desired representatives into an elected offices. _“I want to urge everyone to take this membership registration serious. APC is our party and we must all place our stake on it. This is an opportunity for us to put our destinies in our hands and present ourselves the opportunity of placing the right people at the helm of our affairs_”. Hon. Ogundinmu asserted.. Ogundimu who is fondly called 'Striker', also took the opportunity to declare his 100% support to our APC National Leader, the Asiwaju of the Universe, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In attendance were top movers and shakers in the political space, important religious leaders and as well as communities heads and monarchs among others.

BUS REFORM PROJECT TO KICK OFF MARCH WITH 820 BUSES- AMBODE

...Inspects Airport Road, Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT Corridor, Bus Terminals, Others

…Reaffirms Commitment To Complete Ongoing Projects

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said plans have been firmed up to roll out the Bus Reform Project of the State Government in March with 820 high and medium capacity buses, saying that the initiative would redefine public transportation and make the State to be globally competitive. 

The Governor, who said this during an extensive inspection tour of ongoing projects across the State which lasted from morning till late in the night, said the initiative was basically designed to inject 5,000 buses, modern terminals, facilitate ease of mobility for residents and also rev up Lagos economy, among others.

While inspecting the assembling plant at Awoyaya in Ibeju Lekki area of the State which is also serving as the temporary holding bay for 500 out of the 820 buses, Governor Ambode expressed optimism that the buses would be rolled out after the elections, while the next phase of the project would be to assemble the buses in Lagos.

"This is an assembling plant. The dream is that beyond the procurement of 820 buses by government, the next set of buses in the vision should be assembled in Lagos in this assembling plant and another one in Epe.

"That is the dream and the whole project is scalable and in this scale right now, we would run with the 820; you have seen the maintenance workshops and all that, and then the next scale which is the next phase is for Nigerians to be able to assemble the buses in Lagos and then we create employment opportunities and also allow the GDP of Lagos to grow. The buses are ready and we think with everything we have done, we should be able to roll out these buses maybe immediately after the elections," he said.

The Governor said though the 5, 000 buses would not be enough for the State, but the government was showing good example and creating the conducive atmosphere to allow the private sector to come in and participate in the whole arrangement.

“What has happened is that government has gone ahead to procure these buses using its funds and the buses are being owned by a government company called Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL). So, the LBSL will lease these buses to operators who would use the three depots at Oshodi, Anthony and Yaba to ensure that the buses are sustained and maintained properly so that they don't get wasted before their lifespan expires.

"The idea is if we are able to show good example of which we have procured these buses with our own money, the private sector can join hands with us and start to procure those additional buses that will take it to 5,000, while government can also procure more and by so doing, we would have had assembling plant in Lagos and create job opportunities for our people.

"By the time you put these buses on the road, it will create jobs for drivers, engineers, technicians, and so on, thereby growing the economy of Lagos coming from the transport sector in addition to 100 bus stops being constructed simultaneously across the State with attendant positive impact on the economy. So, the idea is create jobs, grow the economy, make the city to be globally competitive and then make life comfortable for the people."

Among the projects inspected by the Governor and his team are Oshodi Transport Interchange which is 85 per cent completed; Bus Depot at Oshodi, Yaba, Oyingbo to be ready by March; International Airport Road to be ready by early May; Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT Corridor to be delivered by April; and vehicle assembling plant at Awoyaya in Ibeju Lekki.

The bus depots are equipped with facilities such as depot office, dormitory, 30,000 litres underground tank, 30, 000 litres overhead tank, automated and elevated car wash, toilets, fuel dump, utility buildings and central workshop housing spare parts and operational offices, as well as equipment for the maintenance of the buses.

The 820 buses, which have already been delivered, are equipped with cameras, USB point, internet, television, and special spaces for physically challenged, pregnant women and the aged, among others.

The Governor, who rode in one of the buses with cabinet members, allayed fears of some residents over ongoing projects, saying that concerted efforts would be made to complete many of them before the expiration of his tenure.

He said the good thing about the continuity in governance which he had been preaching is that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu had signed on to the projects.

"I know that the feedback we are getting is that Lagosians are worried whether some of this our critical projects will be delivered before we leave office.

"We want to assure them that with what we have had from the contractors and the inspection we have done today, these projects will be completed and some of them if they are not completed, Jide Sanwo-Olu will complete them and that is the whole essence of governance of continuity that we are preaching and that is why we believe strongly that he would not only complete them but also escalate them to higher level and that is the whole idea about APC," Governor Ambode said.

Hon. JS Babatunde Reiterates Commitment To Alleviating Poverty In Orile Agege

...Says People Must Feel Impact of Govt At the Grassroot

...Empowers 20 Community Youths with  N100k each, 60 widows with Foodstuff, Cash

...Distributes Utility Vehicles to League of Imam, Christian Community, CDC, Market Women, others

AgegePulse Magazine

The Executuve Chairman of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area, Hon. Johnson Sunday Babatunde has reiterated that he would stop at nothing to ensure that the standard of living of Orile Agege people is drastically improved across all sectors under his watch.

Hon. Babatunde stated this at the official handing over of Utility Buses to Orile Agege Stakeholders' Executives cum Empowerment of Youths and Distribution of Foodstuff to widows at the council's secretariat in Orile Agege.


Also, the council boss presented 20 youths with N100,000 each and 60 widows with foodstuff and cash as part of his empowerment programme, urging them to engage in petty trading that would improve quality of their living.

According to the Chairman, "this event is a continuation of our mission to restore and rebuild Orile Agege. This initiavte will be a monthly activity in order to reach all the nooks and crannies of Orile Agege LCDA."

"The utility buses are necessary for smooth execution of official tasks while the empowerment is to compliment the physical infrastructures we are putting in place across the council." Hon Babatunde noted.

Beneficiaries of the gesture include the CDC Exco, Muslim Council, Orile Agege, Christian Association of Nigeria, Orile Agege branch, Oba in Council and Market Executives.

Speaking with AgegePulse, some of the beneficiaries thanked the Executive Chairman and his team for their quality leadership style aimed towards the well-being of people under his jurisdiction.

Dignitaries at the event included, the Vice Chairman of Orile Agege, Leader of House, Councilors, Managment Staff, Royal Fathers , Baales, Chiefs, Exco members, APC Party Leaders, Members of Management, NULGE Reps and the entire Staff of Orile Agege LCDA.

Lagos restates commitment to reducing housing deficit - AgegePulse

Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal has affirmed that the State Government is committed to reducing the housing deficit which stands at about 2.5 million following the on-going construction of housing estates across the State.

Lawal, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and Directors in the Ministry, made this known during an inspection tour of some housing estates at Ibeshe and Igbogbo, both in Ikorodu Division.

According to him, many units would soon be ready for allocation to first-time homeowners under the Rent-To-Own or Rental Housing Policies of the State Government and admonished contractors handling the housing schemes, to expedite action on the projects.

He also enjoined the contractors and the supervising technical staff to work as a team so that the government would deliver on its promises to Lagos residents in the area of Housing, attributing the inability to meet the housing needs of Lagosians to the daily influx of people into Lagos.

Lawal, however, gave assurance that the State Government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Lagos residents have access to affordable housing units that are convenient, safe and within employment areas.

He enjoined residents to always pay their taxes regularly so that government can do more in the provision of housing and other essential infrastructure.

Our achievements would have been impossible without Civil Servants – Ambode

…Swears-in new five new Perm Secs

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday commended the State Public Service for contributing immensely to the achievements recorded by his administration in the last two and a half years in office, saying the feats would have been impossible without the support of civil servants.

Speaking at the State Executive Chambers in Alausa, Ikeja while swearing-in five newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Governor Ambode said since assumption of office on May 29, 2015, efforts have been made to fulfill the promises made to Lagosians, and that it was indeed gratifying that civil servants in the State not only keyed into his vision of a vibrant Lagos but have also been working hard and committed to making the plan a reality.

“In the last two and a half years, our administration has worked relentlessly to fulfill our promises to Lagosians. Our modest achievements in these past months would not have been possible without the support of the public service, most especially our Permanent Secretaries who have not only keyed into our vision of a vibrant Lagos but have also ensured that it becomes a reality through commitment and hard work,” Governor Ambode said.

He said aside the fact that Permanent Secretaries have been working hard to ensure the progress of the State, other officers from directors down the ladder of the civil service have equally been performing creditably well, adding that he was indeed appreciative of their dedication to duty, commitment and service to the State.

The new Permanent Secretaries, who have since been assigned portfolios, are Mrs. Ibirogba Clara Omotilewa (Office of Establishment and Training); Mr. Ogunnubi Timothy Olukayode (Ministry of Science and Technology); Dr. (Mrs.) Are Suwebat Iyabo (Primary Healthcare Board); Dr. Salaam Taiwo Olufemi (Ministry of Transportation); and Mrs. Awobamise Kofoworola Omotayo (Ministry of Information and Strategy).
While congratulating the appointees, Governor Ambode said their elevation was not just about filling the vacancies created by those who have retired, but a way of rewarding hard work and diligence, as well as a reaffirmation that any member of any discipline could rise to the peak in the civil service.

He said according to available facts, the new Permanent Secretaries as directors, demonstrated loyalty and commitment through active involvement in the implementation of some of the policies of the present administration, just as he expressed optimism that their appointment would be a source of encouragement to all officers who are diligent in the discharge of their duties as civil servants.

Besides, Governor Ambode charged the new appointees to contribute their quota to the development of the State and add value to governance.
“To the new appointees, it is my belief that you will continue to contribute your quota to the development of the State. This is no time to relent on your hard work but rather a time for you to come up with new ideas and innovation that will add value to our State in the way and manner government policies are implemented for the greater benefit and service of our people.

“I charge all of you to rededicate yourselves to the tenets of the public service reforms we have embarked on and prove to the rest of the service your justification for the new elevation,” the Governor said.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Ibirogba thanked Governor Ambode for the opportunity given to them to serve the State, assuring that they would hit the ground running to uphold the vision and mission statements of their respective MDAs and also ensure that result-oriented policies are delivered.

HOW WE PLAN TO DECIMATE OUT-OF-SCHOOL PUPILS IN AGEGE - Majiyagbe

Although, statistics have shown that the number of pupils enrollment into Agege primary schools has drastically increased since the square peg for the job was placed in the square hole with the appointment of Hon. Olalekan Olatunde Majiyagbe as the Executive Secretary of Agege Local Government Education Authority, LGEA, the need to further decimate the number of out-of-school children that litter the nooks and crannies of Agege remains on the front burner for him.

In a chat with Agegepulse Magazine, the brilliant dude spoke on the journey so far, the present state of the LGEA and plans to make primary education more interesting and appealing for every child in Agege. Excerpt:

“As a trained psychologist and counselor, I’ve been able to transform and impact lives through counseling. I am one of the team that produced the first gifted and talented child in Lagos state from Yewa Pry School, Agege. The survival of every man is in his brain; your brain generates solutions depending on how you apply it to issues. 

For someone to succeed in life he/she must identify his/her inner treasury. I became a consultant to World Bank on community issues around age 27, which was as a result of the cognitive academic system operating during our time. Our parents were ready to give physical support and assistance to us unlike now that parents are using money to buy their primary roles for their children. It is high time parents worked with teachers to build a better future for our pupils.

“In Agege, we have 50 Pry Schools and 2 special schools for children with special needs. Since I came in, we have been able to increase staff welfare, build more structures, organize periodic staff training for academic improvement and co-curricular activities. It is our believe that out of school children are products of unfavourable economy situations, what we are doing is to partner with market leaders to fish them out, though they are not too many, people use them as maids and as hawkers. We are working to have stakeholders meeting with CDAs and other stakeholders in order to develop a working paper and statistic on them. Through this, we'll proffer solution to that. Till date we have experience massive enrolment into our primary schools because parents appreciate government efforts to make learning accessible and appealing to pupils.

On his proposed 30days traditional dancing steps to mark his 10years investiture as the Asiwaju of Oko Oba Land, Majiyagbe said; "that is a new dimension to publicity, we want to create an euphoria to sensitize people that Asiwaju will soon celebrate 10th year anniversary. And that dancing step is not a regulated approach, I may not be in royal regalia, I can be at a point they will sing and dance and I will inform them to get ready for Asiwaju day. When the day gets closer, there will be royal movement on horse or open roof with guards and they will sing and dance at almost every point to dole out gifts to children all around. And when it gets to the D-day which is June 2017, it will be only church service and reception. I will also use the day to mark my 54th birthday.

On politics, he said; I've a commitment and vision to emerge Agege LG chairman. It's an age long dream because I've the wherewithal to bring succor to my people. We have tailor made plans to make Agege people happy. We’ve a strategy to run a successful Local Government system called Agege Model. I assure you that this model will be emulated by other LGAs in the long run".

Watch out for the full interview in the next edition of AgegePulse Magazine.  

Obasa reiterates commitment to develop Agege, says: See Agege, See Paris

No doubt, the speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa is passionate about seeing a drastic and effective development of his constituency and the entire Agege community as a whole.
Obasa returned to Orile Agege on Wednesday 21st September, 2016, as a guest representing the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode at the commissioning of Ogundele Street. The speaker was treated to a rousing accolade by dignitaries' most especially female politicians and the market women at the event.
The number 3 man in Lagos commended the commitment of the members of the All Progressives Congress in the area. He noted that the commissioned road is one of the many rewards the community would benefit from their investment in voting APC candidates into elective offices during elections.
“It is heartwarming that Agege is now ranking among top cities in Lagos and Nigeria at large with the rate of developments going on in the community. We promise that we will commission more roads in Agege very soon which will bring total transformation to the area.
By the time the Abule Egba and Pen Cinemas bridges are completed, you will see wonder in Agege LGA and Orile Agege LCDA. Then everyone can boldly say “See Agege, See Paris”.
Obasa went on to deliver  Gov. Ambode's speech and afterwards cut the ribbon to officially open the Ogundele Street for use. He proceeded to Fashola street