6 hours ago
6
Audu Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems (second left); Dr. Oluwarotimi
Fashola, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems (third left); Dr. Kadri
Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor (middle); Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and
Food System (third right); Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to the Governor (second right), and Olayinka Oladunjoye,
Federal Commissioner representing Lagos state in the National Population Commission (NPC) flanked by other
participants and the 26 Agrithon finalists at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 1.0 in Ikeja, Lagos.
SEYI TAIWO-OGUNTUASE
Lagos State government in its determined effort to ensure that food is made available to all is positioning the youths through the Agrinnovation Club to take their rightful place in the agriculture sector.
The Lagos Agrinnovation club is a dynamic platform designed to drive change, foster innovation and bring together young agripreneurs who are passionate about modernising food systems in the state.
With access to mentoring, training and collaboration opportunities, members of the Lagos Agrinnovation club are equipped to tackle food security, implement sustainable practices and adopt agricultural technologies.
It is on this note that the state government distributed a total of N100 million among 26 young agripreneurs in food-related businesses who emerged as finalists of the Lagos Agrithon, supporting them to advance their enterprise solutions.
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state Governor, who was represented at the event by Tayo Ayinde the Lagos State Chief of Staff, while speaking at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 1.0 where the presentation , said that out of the Agrinnovation Club grew the Lagos Agrithon, which is a testament to the power of innovation and opportunity.
“The 26 finalists we honour today have not only made it through a rigorous selection process but have also shown us that the future of food in Lagos is bright. With access to mentorship, networks, and a share of the N100 Million Agrinnovation fund, these entrepreneurs will have the resources to take their enterprise solutions further. This is a symbol of what we can achieve when we trust our youth to lead and support them in doing so.
“To our Agrithon finalists, I urge you to put this funding to excellent use, as you’ve demonstrated through your impressive and innovative ideas. Let this be just the beginning of your journey; keep your passion alive and maintain the dedication that brought you this far.
Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor, enjoined the 26 ‘Agrithon’ finalists to spread the word about this administration’s initiatives to empower young people to become a better version of themselves and good ambassadors to the Country.
He noted that these initiatives were designed to provide the younger generation with the necessary platform to succeed and flourish in their endeavours.
Hamzat said: “I think it is important that you also be an evangelist that tells your colleagues, the young people out there that there is this much opportunity. Let people know that there is this opportunity. We will support you, we will do everything to make sure that you are doing well.”
Speaking further, the Deputy Governor, noted that Agrithon saw 316 business case entries from dynamic startups, championed by young people who are driven by their vision to transform agriculture and build sustainable solutions, while 26 of them were able to make it to the final.
He added that it is a testament to the power of innovation and opportunity as the programme is designed to create a platform where young entrepreneurs from across Nigeria pitch their groundbreaking ideas for the future of food.
Abisola Olusanya, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems earlier in her welcome remarks, said that the summit is essentially for young agripreneurs, those already in the business of food and everything food systems related.
“We have those in e-commerce, in logistics we have those in cold chain, cold storage solutions, we have those in production of crops, we have those into livestock farming, and we have those who are even into the production of cotton.
“We have those in the culinary space who cook food and as such, it’s just to show that agriculture is more than production alone it’s more than just the farmer, it encapsulates a whole system of people: market women, men, logistics providers, warehouse keepers, warehouse providers.
“So it just goes to show you that you can be in this field, we can do so much by creating this platform where these young people can come together, synergise, partner, collaborate and do so much.
She said that is why the State government led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu felt it necessary to encourage them.
“These are a set of people that otherwise are largely ignored because they don’t come to government to ask for assistance or support, but they are still Nigerians they pay their taxes, they have registered businesses and they are employing more young people, so which other business is to be encouraged than these young ones who are in this field.
Oluwarotimi Fashola, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Agriculture and Food Systems in his closing remarks, said the young innovators and the Agrithon finalists, are the heartbeat of Lagos’ agricultural future.
