By Rashidat Oladele
The Lagos State Government has expressed its commitment to collaborating with the Kingdom of Denmark to enhance food security in the state.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has underscored the pivotal role of agriculture as a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made this assertion during a recent visit by the Consul General and Head of Trade, Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ms. Jette Bjerrum, and her delegation to the governor’s office in Alausa, Ikeja.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the governor highlighted his administration’s dedication to forging partnerships with other nations and the private sector to foster further development in Lagos State.
The governor reiterated that this collaboration aligns with the call by President Bola Tinubu for increased investment in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu discussed the upcoming Nordic-Nigeria Connect conference scheduled for November, focusing on Smart City solutions and the circular economy.
This conference, organized by Nordic countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, presents an opportunity for Lagos State to collaborate with the Kingdom of Denmark, particularly in the agricultural sector, to ensure food security.
The governor pointed out that Lagos, despite its relatively small landmass, boasts the highest population in Nigeria. Consequently, the demand for food is substantial due to the state’s demographic profile.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of effectively managing agricultural produce, revealing that one of the state’s strategies is to track the origin of agricultural products entering Lagos.
This measure aims to reduce food costs and enhance the quality of products, aligning with the government’s food security initiative.
Furthermore, the governor highlighted the state government’s substantial investments in various sectors, including technology, agriculture, education, transportation, and others, to bolster economic growth and development.
In her remarks, Ms. Jette Bjerrum acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to making Nigeria an attractive destination for business.
She expressed Denmark’s readiness to partner with the Lagos State Government. Understanding the state’s agenda ahead of the Nordic Nigeria Connect event was one of the primary objectives of this visit.