Kakalistiq.com reports that Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Agriculture, has described the launch of the Lagos Market Trader Money initiative, spearheaded by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, as an indication of the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable livelihoods and wealth creation for traders across the state. She made the revelation during her address at the launch of the Lagos Market Trader Money initiative today at Blue Roof LTV8, Agidingbi, Ikeja.
The versatile commissioner, who received accolades from the governor for the success of the initiative, averred that the program is part of the government’s focus on developing the downstream segment of food and agricultural value chains, particularly markets and market access. Lagos, as the largest market city-state in sub-Saharan Africa, holds significant importance in this endeavour, she added.
She recalled that during the commissioning of the mid-level agro-food hub at Idi-Oro Mushin on December 18th, 2023, Governor Sanwoolu outlined plans for a more inclusive social welfare framework, starting with the Lagos Market Trader Money initiative. The initiative, she said, entails distributing N50,000 to 15,000 market men and women across the 57 LGAs, including those within military and police barracks.
The support provided, according to her, aims to enhance beneficiaries’ capacity to procure more produce from farmers, thereby catalyzing increased food production within and outside the state. Implemented jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Local Governments in collaboration with market leaders, she explained that the initiative is the first of many planned by the Governor to alleviate burdens across various sectors, including food, health, education, and transportation.
“It is our hope that, individually and collectively, we all rise to the demands of the times to be our brother’s keeper,” she concluded.
