Lagos State Government, through the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD), has distributed various small-scale farm tools to farmers in the rural communities of the state.
The Special Adviser on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Lanre-Agbaje, while presenting the tools to the beneficiaries, reiterated the determination of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to keep supporting farmers in the state towards delivering good governance by ensuring food sufficiency, promoting self-reliance and an accelerated socio-economic transformation of Lagos State.
Charging the beneficiaries to productively engage the tools for improved farm yield, Dr. Agbaje explained that the tools were purchased from the taxpayers’ money and, as such, must be used productively.
He said further that the government, through CERUD, is open to suggestions from the farmers on other areas of support and partnership to ensure food availability at an affordable price to the citizens of the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa, admonished the recipients of the tools not to defeat the purpose of the government’s gesture by selling the tools for immediate pecuniary gains, explaining further that the multiplier effects of using the tools for the intended purpose are far-reaching and long-lasting.
She asserted that they should be considered catalysts for the rapid transformation of the socioeconomic life of the beneficiaries.
Also present at the event were the Director, CERUD, Mr. Musibau Muyiwa Balogun; Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Olusola Ajisafe, management staff of CERUD and farmers drawn from the rural communities of Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo and others.
Some of the beneficiaries who were visibly elated by the gesture expressed gratitude to the government of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, promising not to defeat the purpose of the gesture by putting the tools to productive use for improved farm yield.
