“AGRICULTURE HAS CONTINUOUSLY CONTRIBUTED TO NIGERIA’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT”
_…Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture says at LASU-HUMBOLDT KOLLEG Conference._
Hon. Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Miss. Abisola R. Olusanya, while delivering a paper on “Advancing Food Security Through Good Governance in Nigeria” asserted that Agriculture has continuously and consistently contributed almost 35% to the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the last decade.
Miss. Olusanya disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the LASU-HUMBOLDT KOLLEG Conference held on Tuesday, 2nd May 2023 at Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos, with the theme; ”Repositioning Science and Technology to Tackle Food Insecurity, Environment and Health Challenges Through Research Collaborations and Capacity Building for Sustainable Development”.
The Hon. Commissioner stated that the safety of life, property and health is dependent on the availability of food and the fact that those in the food value chain hold the economy of the state and country together should not be ignored.
The Hon. Commissioner added that food security or insecurity is phased along the dimensions of access, utilization, stability and the amount of money individuals possess.
Speaking Further, she said “….what we have done in Lagos as regards the food system includes capacity building and empowerment, helping to facilitate funding and financing, infrastructure development, market accessibility, policy development and the utilization of technology which are elements needed to ensure a much better food system.”
Miss. Olusanya affirmed that Lagos State currently produces less than 20% of what it needs and enjoined the youths to show interest in the food system irrespective of their course of study and profession.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan, in her address appreciated the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the government of Germany for providing support in the actualization of the Conference.
Speaking further, the Professor of Physiology said “…I believe that we can reposition our science and technology by strengthening our research and development through increased funding, and leveraging on local and international collaborations, investing in infrastructure to make science and technology teaching more effective, increasing access to internet and fastracking digitization and automation of our processes, amongst others.”
The Convener of the Conference, Prof. Kabiru O. Akinyemi, in his welcome speech averred that the theme of the Conference will bring researchers, academia, policy-makers, professionals, Industrialists, and Business communities to share some of the research outcomes geared towards achieving food security, healthy environment and good health and well-being of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 3 at local and national levels.
The second Speaker at the Conference was the Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, His Excellency, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, ably represented by the Director General/Chief Executive, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Dr. Samuel O. Etatuvie, who spoke on the topic; ”Advancing Science and Technological Innovation Through Good Governance for Solving Nigeria’s Economic Challenges.”
According to the Honorable Minister, “the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is bringing the benefits of biotechnology for improved livelihood by bio-resources development to all Nigerians, most importantly those living in the rural areas”.
He added that Nigeria is currently pursuing the development of an inclusive bio-technology plan for farmers.
The well attended Conference also had the Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Weert Boener, represented by the Deputy Consul General, Mr. Gerald Wolf.
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