The Lagos State Government yesterday said it was committed to fostering partnerships to drive agricultural initiatives, reduce waste and ensure access to nutritious food.

Governor Babajide SanwoOlu said this at the 11th annual summit of the Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS) with the theme: “Agenda For Sustainable Development and Food Security.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was held yesterday at Ikeja, Lagos. NAN also reports that the summit provides a platform for deliberations on topical issues relating to good governance and improved service delivery.

Sanwo-Olu was represented at the event by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat. He listed rapid urbanisation, growing population, and global economic pressures as the challenges affecting the state’s resources and infrastructure.

He emphasised the critical role of food security in ensuring sustainable development, food availability, accessibility, affordability, and nutritional quality.

According to him, integrating sustainable practices into development agenda can achieve a resilient, self-sufficient, and model city.

Sanwo-Olu said the state had made significant strides in agriculture and food production through various initiatives such as the Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme and the Lagos Agripreneurship programme He, however, noted that more work was needed to achieve food sustainability.

“The summit provides a platform for sustainable solutions and demonstrates ALARHOSPS’s support for the administration.”