Kunle Adelabu
Over 1,200 local farmers across the Lagos East Senatorial District received fertilizers provided by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to boost food production and security in Nigeria.
The distribution, which was done through the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial district, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, was aimed at reducing the rising cost of food, and to boost local food production capacity of the nation.
Abiru, who was represented by the former Honourable Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, at the distribution exercise held at his Constituency Office in Ikorodu, on Tuesday, commended the laudable programme, stressing that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was working assiduously to reduce hunger and hardship in the country.
He added that the intervention from the President, will complement other supports that Senator Abiru had facilitated to farmers in the district, like the distribution of farms inputs, including fertilizers, seedlings, and herbicides to over 300 crop farmers, and the provision of fully vaccinated chickens, feeds, and cages for over 100 livestock farmers in the Senatorial District.
Dr Hakeem Adetugbobo, the Coordinator of Agric-related empowerment for Senator Abiru, also commended President Tinubu for the tremendous support he has been providing for farmers in Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that the food insecurity will be addressed with the number of interventions in the sector under President Tinubu.
“President Bola Tinubu is deeply concerned about the food insecurity in Nigeria, especially in the south west, and he believes that there should be special intervention that will boost agricultural output in the Southwest and Nigeria in general.
“And we must thank him for this, because he has also earmarked several acres of land for rice and maize farming to boost agriculture.
“This is a part of the process of distributing about 1200 fertilizers to the farmers in Lagos State, and the President actually told Senator Abiru to tell the farmers that more are still coming”, he said.
While also commending Senator Abiru for his efforts in supporting farmers, Dr Adetugbodo assured that the inputs will go a long way in ensuring food security in the state.
“About three months ago, Senator Abiru facilitated farm inputs through the Nigeria Agricultural Land Development Agency (NALDA), and farmers have been testifying to how much impact those inputs have done to their farm produce.
“The farmers have also assured that the next farming outputs/harvest, their next harvest would resolve the issue of food scarcity.
“This 1200 bags of fertilizers should go a long way to improve the turnage output of agricultural products especially maize, rice and cassava, such that in Lagos State, we won’t have food shortage and the issue of food insecurity will be something of the past”, he said.
He assured that the Senator sill have more in terms of support for the farmers in his district.
Mr Sanusi Kamaldeen, a farmer at Lucky Fiber in Ikorodu North LCDA, while appreciating the gesture, said that it would help farmers improve their outputs.
“The essence of fertilizer is just to improve the seedlings.
“It is a very essential commodity, especially these days that we have shortage of rainfall and some other factors that may likely affect the farming system.
“So, we sincerely appreciate the effort of Senator Tokunbo Abiru, for giving us the opportunity. At least, it is going to help with the food security that we are all clamouring for.
“It is a welcome development for farmers and he needs to keep doing it. It is going to boost the agricultural sector and the economy generally”, he said.
Waheed Olaide Kareem, one of the beneficiaries from Lekki LCDA, expressed profound appreciation to the President, for the food security programme, and also lauded the exemplary leadership of Senator Abiru.
An executive member of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, in Eredo LCDA , Mrs Folake Olaide, confirmed that members of the Association, who got similar support from Senator Abiru, are doing well in their farming business.
Prominent stakeholders in the agricultural sector and political leaders who graced the occasion included: Executive Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Kazeem Sulaimon, Prince Jamiu Adio Saka, Arc. Taiwo Akintunde Kara, Alhaji Musibau Gafar, Hon. Olasunkanmi Tijani Jimoh, Hon. Ajetumobi Olawunmi Rasaq, Alhaji Rilwan Ishola Jinadu, Alhaji Sulaimon Musiliu Adewale (Ola-4), Hon. Matthew Adesanya and South West Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Otunba (Dr.) Femi Oke, among others.
