By: Sayó Àlàgbé
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiak Salako, has urged Nigerians—especially the youth—to embrace patriotism and contribute meaningfully to national development, particularly through agriculture. He made this call during the 3rd Faculty Lecture of the Faculty of Food and Consumer Sciences at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
Represented by Professor Akinwumi Komolafe, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, the Minister emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the nation’s challenges.
“There is no free food anywhere. It’s time for all hands to be on deck to uplift Nigeria,” he said.
Delivering a lecture titled “Transforming Nigerian Food Systems for Better Health, Policy, Innovation, and Sustainability”, Dr. Salako highlighted the inefficiencies of Nigeria’s current food system—spanning production, processing, distribution, and consumption—stating that it neither adequately nourishes the population nor supports environmental sustainability.
He stressed that agricultural advancement is a crucial component of national development, linking agrarian reforms to broader socio-economic growth. According to him, several development theories across the globe have established the role of agriculture in driving national progress.
The event drew dignitaries from the university community, including the representative of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dahud Olurotimi Araromi; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Strategy and Development), Professor Tunde Ogunkunle; representative of the Bursar, Alhaja Khadijat Olawoore; and the University Librarian, Professor Sarah Adefunke Ebijuwa.
Also present was the Dean of the Faculty of Food and Consumer Sciences, Professor Emmanuel Adedapo Akande, alongside other scholars, students, and invited guests.
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