By Sodeinde Temidayo David
The Lagos State Government will hold the 2021 edition of the Lagos Food Festival on December 12 and would be used to stimulate the interest of investors in the food business.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the interest in food business would also create direct and indirect jobs for value chain actors and artisans while developing networks and linkages amongst stakeholders.
According to her, the festival is expected to create 150 direct and indirect jobs as a result of increased marketing opportunities, set up and dismantling of equipment for the festival, technicians to operate equipment and other hands engaged to provide support services.
She also noted that another 500 induced business links would be established during the event to supply fresh and processed seafood while over 3,000 guests are similarly expected to grace the occasion.
The Commissioner, therefore, noted that the festival is an opportunity to project the various food offerings from the diverse socio-cultural groupings in the state to the local and international markets.
The 2021 Lagos Food Festival with the theme A Taste of Lagos is an offshoot of the erstwhile annual Seafood Festival, where the state celebrates its seafood varieties spiced up with other exciting activities taking into cognisance other value chains where the State has a comparative and competitive advantage.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Muri-Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ms Olusanya stated that apart from the wide array and exhibition of food products, there would also be culinary experiences such as food tasting, cooking masterclasses with renowned chefs, outdoor grills and thrilling entertainment.
She assured that the Lagos Food Festival would be exciting, entertaining and enlightening and that it would leave a long-lasting impression in the minds of visitors and participants.
“The forthcoming Lagos Food Festival is a follow-up on the success story achieved from the implementation of five editions of the erstwhile Lagos Seafood Festival, which was held between years 2012 and 2020,” she noted.
The Commissioner stated that the festival would feature a wide array of fresh products, organic groceries, dry food, confectionery, pastries, ready-to-eat consumables and drinks in addition to seafood, meat and poultry.
