Empowering Green: APWEN Lagos Unveils Home Gardening Initiative to Boost Food Security

By Prince Wtr Gideon Tobiloba 

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Lagos Chapter unveiled the Lagos Home Gardening Initiative on Saturday, August 24, 2024, with the goal of promoting food security in Lagos State and across the nation.

Dr. Atinuke Owolabi, Chairperson of the APWEN Lagos Chapter, highlighted that the initiative aligns with the association’s support for the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu's "Own a Garden" Competition. She made these remarks during the APWEN Lagos Chapter's 2024 Public Lecture, Award Ceremony, and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

The lecture, themed “Empowering Nigerian Women Engineers and Communities to Promote Sustainable Agricultural Solutions and Food Security in Nigeria,” served as the backdrop for the unveiling. Owolabi explained that the initiative is designed to impart essential skills for practical home gardening, with a focus on empowering women engineers and local communities.

"The APWEN Lagos Home Gardening Initiative aims to bolster food security, promote self-sufficiency, and support environmental sustainability through practical and accessible gardening practices," Owolabi said. She emphasized that the initiative seeks to build a network of informed and skilled individuals capable of driving positive change within their communities.

The initiative will equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and maintain home gardens, thereby enhancing food security and promoting sustainable living. Young scholars will also be introduced to the benefits of home gardening to instill a culture of sustainability from an early age and ensure long-term community impact.

“This year marks a significant milestone for our chapter, with substantial progress made in advancing our mission to empower women in engineering and support our communities. Our achievements are a testament to the dedication and hard work of each member,” Owolabi added.

In his remarks, Oladotun Olakanle, Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Government Area, commended APWEN Lagos for the initiative, noting that insecurity has negatively impacted food production. He encouraged Nigerians to embrace the home gardening initiative as a means to enhance food production and sustainability, emphasizing that food security is essential for food sufficiency.

Guest Speaker Mufutau Oyelekan, CEO of Farm Fresh Agricultural Venture and Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos Chapter, urged APWEN members and other agricultural engineers to develop and design agricultural tools tailored for Nigerian farmers. Oyelekan expressed concern that most tools currently used in the country are imported from China and advised female engineers to collaborate with fabricators to design locally-produced tools. He also encouraged them to establish farms, either individually or collectively, and develop agricultural product processors to promote food sufficiency.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Akindele Alonge, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Uyo and Past National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers, challenged female engineers to address the obstacles hindering food sufficiency in Nigeria. He emphasized the need for mechanized farming and the integration of digital technology in agriculture. Alonge also urged engineers to build their capacities, network, and collaborate with other professionals.

The home garden launch was conducted by Oladotun Olakanle and Mufutau Oyelekan, who demonstrated the simplicity of the process by planting crops such as tomatoes and peppers. The event concluded with the recognition of some special guests and attendees for their participation and support in realizing the initiative. Some of which are Oladotun Olakanle the Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Government Area, Mufutau Oyelekan the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos Chapter, and Engr Festus Alawode amongst many others.