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By correspondent in Lagos.
From Left, Guest Speaker/Chief Agric Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Babatunde Ibrahim; Director, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Alhaji Ojikutu Olawale; Representative of former Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola/Veteran Broadcaster from the Nigerian Television Authority, Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamot and Convener of Programme, Mr Adele Sanni, during a day sensitisation programme on mosque documentation and market of convenience, in Lagos, on Sunday
An agriculturist, Mr. Ibrahim Olayeni,has urged Lagos residents to adopt urban farming to enhance food production and support local agriculture.
Olayeni, a staff member of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, made the appeal at a Lagos State Muslims Community event, titled “Mosque Documentation in Conjunction With Market Convenience.”
Urban farming, as described by Olayeni, involves cultivating crops in urban areas with limited space and resources. This practice can significantly increase food production, create job opportunities, and utilize available space efficiently.
Olayeni said that urban farming could attract younger individuals to agriculture, fostering innovation and modern practices.
Commonly grown crops in urban settings,he said ,include leafy vegetables such as Soko, Tete, Ewedu, Spring Onion, and Lettuce. Fruit vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, carrots, onions, okra, cabbage, and tubers like yam can also be cultivated.
The expert encouraged communities to form cooperatives and register with government agencies to gain recognition and benefits.
He also advised residents to visit local agricultural training centers such as the Farm Service Centre in Oko Oba, Agege; Agric Training Institute in Araga, Epe; and Agric Training Institute in Avia, Badagry, for further information.
The event’s convener, Alhaji Adele Sanni, also called on Muslims to organize bulk purchases of food to mitigate food scarcity.
A Muslim scholar, Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat emphasized that urban farming could help alleviate food shortages and support government efforts.
Contributoring,Alhaji Olawale Ojikutu, a Director with the Lagos State Land Bureau, urged Muslims to secure proper land documentation for their mosques and properties to prevent future issues.
He referenced the example of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who purchased and documented land for the second holiest mosque in Medina.
Ojikutu recommended that mosque leaders form committees or trustees for effective management and documentation, noting that the Lagos State Government had extended an amnesty period for mosque committees to complete their documentation with the relevant ministries.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
