Lagos Senator empowers 300 farmers with vital agricultural inputs
By Innocent Raphael
Looking to enhance food production in Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing the district, has facilitated the distribution of essential farm inputs, including fertilizers, seedlings, and herbicides, to over 300 local farmers in the district’s agrarian communities.
A statement made public on Thursday by the media office of the Senator, said the initiative was made possible through the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), supported by the Senator’s intervention.
The statement also revealed that the empowerment initiative is part of a series of agriculturally-focused interventions aimed at supporting livestock and crop farmers in the predominantly agricultural areas of Ikorodu, Epe, and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Areas.
Notably, in November 2023, over 100 livestock farmers received fully vaccinated chickens, along with feeds and cages, after receiving expert training on poultry management to reduce mortality and boost their businesses, courtesy of the Senator.
Speaking at the event, Enitan Olukotun, Senator Abiru’s media aide, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his extensive and bold reforms across various sectors, particularly agriculture, aimed at ensuring national food production and security.
“In June 2022, in Epe Local Government, Senator Abiru provided hand planters and grants to over 200 rural farmers and also empowered over 1,250 market women. In 2023, 250 farmers also received MPK fertilizers facilitated by the Senator.
“Also, over 700 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) benefitted from the SMEDAN MSMEs Grants and empowerment he facilitated,” Olukotun added.
Olukotun further highlighted Senator Abiru’s extensive contributions to Lagos East, which include agricultural support, assistance to MSMEs, and the facilitation of construction projects such as schools, mini-stadiums, markets, electricity transformers, road construction and rehabilitation, water projects, and the establishment of the SAIL Innovation Lab.
Prince Paul Ikone, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Secretary of NALDA, represented by the agency’s ICT Director Mr. Chima Onuha, affirmed that the partnership with Senator Abiru aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on agricultural development and food security.
A beneficiary, Owolabi Odulaja expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “This initiative will help tackle poverty. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NALDA, and Senator Tokunbo Abiru for this great support during this challenging economic period.”
Prominent stakeholders in the agricultural sector and political leaders praised Senator Abiru’s efforts towards food security, including Dr. Hakeem Adetugbobo, Apostle Victor Odunsi, Alhaji Rilwan Ishola Jinadu, Alhaja Sheifat Abiodun Ogunniyi, Alhaji Sulaimon Musiliu Adewale (Ola-four), and Otunba (Dr.) Femi Oke, South West Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
