A Lagos socio-cultural Indigenous group, Omo Eko Pataki (The reputable Lagos Indigenes) has called on governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu to swiftly initiate programmes that will revolutionise agriculture with a view to achieving self-sufficiency in food production in the state.

As gathered by EKO HOT BLOG, the call is contained in a statement issued by General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Trustee of Ọmọ Eko Pataki.

The call is sequel to the obstruction of movement of food items and cattles from the northern part of the country to the south.

The group said the recent developments should serve as teachable moments for the state government and spur it to revive the neglected agriculture sector.

It noted that the state is blessed with both manpower and natural endowment needed to actualise the objective in shortest possible time.

The statement read “The recent action of the Amalgamated Food Stuff and Cattle Dealers which halted the convoy of trailers from bringing tomatoes, peppers, onions and all kinds of food stuff to the south should awaken the leadership of Lagos state to redirect its policies in widening its agricultural investments.

“Lagos state which is naturally our foremost concern as Ọmọ Eko Pataki should henceforth impress into immediate duty a massive workforce of her unemployed youths across the IBILE traditional enclave, whipping our vast and enriched lands into a huge agricultural holdings.

“From Ifako-Ijaiye to Imọta, from Epe to the rolling fields to the Mangroves of Badagry- Lagos state is blessed with nutrient rich agricultural fields that can quickly be marshaled into farmlands where various kinds of crops from tomatoes, lettuce, pepper, beans, rice, corn, yam , potatoes, cassava and many others can be planted to enhance our self-sufficiency in food production.

“It is our candid advise to Governor Sanwoolu to quickly reorder the state priorities in ensuring that our state becomes the new food basket of the country thereby triggering a new agricultural revolution in the state of excellence.

“The threat of a food blackmail will easily fizzle out as soon as we put our hands to the plow , strengthening the Lagosian food base, provoking food surplus in the food supply chain that the state itself can export beyond our boundaries. This will increase our internally generated revenues that we can use to develop our infrastructures. This is a wake up call”.

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