The Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrazaq Adenugba and other Monarchs in Ijebu-North Local Government Area have showered encomiums on Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s strive at reviving the state’s economy through agriculture.
This was contained in a press release jointly signed by Tunwase Dokunmu and Doyinsola Ajisebuti, Press Officers, Ministry of Agriculture and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Saturday whereby the monarchs also affirmed their support to the administration.
The monarchs said this when a team led by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina paid him a courtesy visit in his palace at Ago-Iwoye, during an inspection tour to some farmlands being cleared in the area.
According to Oba Adenugba, governor Abiodun is a great achiever, whose goal of reviving the state’s economy cannot be washed aside, promising unflinching support for his administration’s drive.
“We are proud of this administration, because governor Abiodun is God’s sent. He is a silent achiever, and we appreciate his efforts. We know he will succeed. We, the Council of Oba in Ijebu-North will continue to support his government,” Oba Adenugba assured.
Responding, Dr. Odedina highlighted the present administration’s various steps at ensuring food security, job creation and industrialisation, through Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, Broilers’ Project and modern aquaculture, adding that his determination had made the ministry extend its agricultural intervention to Ago-Iwoye and adjoining villages.
“We are here to inspect 50 hectares of farmland being prepared by the Federal Government at Oke-Arowa for the economic advantage of our youths. We will also train them on modern and profitable agricultural practices, give them cassava cuttings to plant and erect a ‘garri ‘processing machine here,” he promised.
The inspection also took the commissioner and his team to Mamu, a community in the council area, encouraging dwellers to explore opportunity of various government’s intervention programmes, including a proposed 2,000 hectares farmland, out of which 200 hectares were being cleared, to make the youths gainfully employed and attracting more investors, with advantage of off-takers.
“This is another promise kept by governor Abiodun. Last year, we cleared 2,500 hectares of land in 16 locations across the state, which will be allocated to youths in each community. We are also linking them to input and credit. It is a joint project between Ogun State and Federal Governments.
“People here are eager to receive improved planting materials, which we are going to give them free. We are also linking them with processing facility and other agricultural opportunities,” he said.
In his remarks, the Baale of Mamu, Chief Bakare Kamorudeen applauded the intervention of the state and federal governments, expressing delight that it would enable more youths to be empowered.
Speaking on behalf of the young farmers in the village, Abiola Omolaja and Abike Olunlena, commended government’s efforts to improve their livelihood, assured of their support for the project.
In the entourage with the Commissioner were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Dotun Sorunke; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Hon. Tolu Bankole; Deputy Director of Land Management, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Yekeen Razaq; Directors in the Ministry and host of others.
