The Lagos State Government has pledged to provide the state with affordable bags of rice during the festive period. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated that the purpose of celebrating the food festival in Lagos is to promote individuals and businesses in the food production industry.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made this remark at the 5th Lagos Food Festival, held on Sunday evening at Victoria Island, Lagos. During the event, he participated in a cooking skills exhibition and emphasized that the festival enables food producers to flourish by connecting them with valuable contacts.
The governor noted that the event was not just about food but also about the dignitaries attending, which provides participants with opportunities to showcase their products and skills. He expressed immense satisfaction with the event’s patronage.
According to him, the festival has evolved into a platform where participants make impactful presentations and establish significant contacts. He described it as “another government-private sector collaboration and one of the many things that make Lagos what it is.”
“The event is not just about food; it’s about the dignitaries who visit, giving people the opportunity to launch their products and exhibit their skills.
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“I am extremely happy today because of the patronage. People now come to the event, make presentations, and form meaningful connections. This is another government-private sector collaboration and one of the many things that make Lagos unique,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems for consistently supporting and promoting the program. He recalled that when the initiative was first launched, it did not garner much interest. However, it has now become a prominent event that attracts significant attention from within and outside the state.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, revealed during a media chat that the government is set to distribute Eko Rice across the state within the next week and a half. She assured residents that the rice would be sold at a lower price than what is currently available in the market.
“Eko Rice will be available in the market within the next week and a half. Some quantities are already in circulation, but more will be available soon.
“The price will definitely be cheaper than the current market price, though it will reflect production costs. Nonetheless, I assure you it will still be more affordable,” Olusanya said.
The commissioner explained that the 5th Lagos Food Festival was part of the state’s end-of-year celebrations aimed at supporting all stakeholders in the food value chain, including farmers, middlemen, market traders, and consumers.
She also highlighted the state government’s ongoing five-year agriculture program, designed to ensure food affordability. Olusanya reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting Lagosians and improving access to affordable food.
“With the infrastructure you see around and the efforts we’re making to support our farmers, we are working diligently to ensure the prices of food items are reduced. We remain committed to supporting Lagosians in this regard,” Olusanya assured.
