LAGOS — The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Abisola Olusanya, has held a synergy meeting with Agriculture Supervisors and Special Advisers from the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state, with a call for stronger collaboration to deepen agricultural development at the grassroots.
The meeting, which brought together the Conference 57 Agriculture Supervisors/SA Forum, focused on strengthening grassroots participation in the implementation of the state government’s agricultural policies, programmes and projects.
Olusanya noted that Agriculture Supervisors are strategically positioned close to the people and therefore capable of driving the Ministry’s initiatives effectively across the 57 councils.
She said the Ministry would encourage the Supervisors to replicate relevant agricultural initiatives in their respective Local Governments and LCDAs, while also coordinating more closely with the Ministry to ensure effective grassroots mobilisation.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Conference 57 Agriculture Supervisors, Hon. Asiwaju Ogunbela, thanked the Commissioner for granting the forum an audience despite her busy schedule.
Ogunbela described the forum as the “foot soldiers of agriculture at the grassroots” across the 57 Local Governments and LCDAs, adding that the delegation had come with three major objectives.
According to him, the forum first came to congratulate Onasanya on her appointment and appreciate Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his administration’s strides in food security and agricultural development under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.
He also pledged the forum’s loyalty and support to the Ministry, assuring that the Supervisors were ready to partner with the Commissioner to take agricultural policies, programmes and projects to residents at the local level.
The third objective, he said, was to seek the Commissioner’s leadership guidance and support over challenges confronting agriculture at the grassroots, particularly the availability of agricultural land for markets and farm clusters, citing the Agege Agro Hub Market as an example.
“We believe that with your support and your Ministry’s collaboration, we can achieve food sufficiency for Lagos State,” Ogunbela said, assuring the Commissioner that the Supervisors would remain worthy ambassadors of the administration’s agricultural revolution.
CAPACITY BUILDING, GRASSROOTS COORDINATION
One of the major issues raised at the meeting was the need for capacity-building programmes for Agriculture Supervisors and Special Advisers to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to perform their responsibilities more effectively.
Responding to the requests, Onasanya said the Supervisors would be encouraged to coordinate activities of the Agriculture Ministry at the local council level, stressing that this would strengthen grassroots mobilisation and improve the implementation of agricultural programmes.
She also emphasised the importance of continuity in governance, noting that although the present administration is approaching the end of its tenure, government institutions and civil servants would remain in place to sustain established frameworks.
“We’re moving Lagos together from Greater Lagos Rising to Moving Lagos Forward Together,” she said, adding that the presence of career civil servants would help ensure continuity beyond the current administration.
Olusanya further noted that Agriculture Supervisors are “the best mobilisers at the grassroots,” urging them to use their proximity to communities to identify genuine farmers and ensure that government interventions reach the intended beneficiaries.
SUPERVISORS TO PLAY KEY ROLE IN OUNJE EKO, WORLD FOOD DAY
The Commissioner disclosed that preparations were underway for the annual Ounje Eko programme and promised to involve the Agriculture Supervisors more closely.
She said the Supervisors would be expected to help identify genuine farmers and other beneficiaries at the grassroots, stressing the importance of accurate local information in implementing government agricultural interventions.
She also urged the Supervisors to maximise the opportunities presented by the forthcoming World Food Day on October 16, particularly through the mobilisation of farmers for the programme.
According to Olusanya, farmers are “truly king” and must be given the opportunity to express themselves, grow their businesses and prosper.
She disclosed that the Ministry already has a template for the World Food Day activities but challenged the Supervisors to submit additional suggestions that could make the programme bigger and more impactful.
The Commissioner also urged the Supervisors to respond promptly whenever the Ministry requests lists, reports or other assignments, noting that timely submission would enhance effective planning and implementation.
She further disclosed that the Ministry would explore project partnerships with Local Governments and LCDAs as part of efforts to advance the agricultural development agenda of a greater Lagos.
“OUR CONSTITUENT IS ONE”
Onasanya reminded the Supervisors that their common responsibility is to serve the people of Lagos fairly and justly.
“Our constituent is one, the good people of Lagos. We should serve them, because we’re in a position of power to spread the resources in a way and manner that’s fair and just,” she said.
To sustain the relationship between the Ministry and the Conference 57 Agriculture Supervisors/SA Forum, the Commissioner directed that the synergy meeting should hold at least three times annually, stressing that regular interaction would facilitate follow-up, coordination and cordial working relationships.
At the end of the meeting, the Conference 57 Agriculture Supervisors/SA Forum presented Commissioner Onasanya with an award for exemplary performance in agriculture and her effective role in combating hunger and promoting food availability in Lagos State.
