Olubadan, Others Demand Government Assistance in Local Food Production

 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Tuesday pushed for maximum support for local food production in Nigeria to avert food insecurity in the country, citing the recent farmer-herders clashes as a possible impediment to food production in Nigeria.

The Olubadan’s representative stated this while speaking at the first anniversary of Titan Farms, Ibadan at an event held at Jogor Event Centre on Tuesday.

The Olubadan was present at the event but chose to speak through his representative; The Assistant/Director of Public Affairs, Mr Adeola Oloko, who stressed the importance of food security in the country, adding that Ibadan residents have embraced the project, which is why prominent people and families in the city have supported Agribusiness projects.

Also present at the event were other eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers including a representative of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The Emir of Kano, who was also a special guest at the event, urged Nigerian youths and the Federal Government to embrace local food production to end the country’s reliance on food imports, adding that no stone should be left unturned in the effort to produce enough food for the country’s entire population.

Aminu Ado Bayero said, “This program is so important and that’s why all of us in the Northern part of the country came to Ibadan to give our collective supports to the young chief executive officer, who has done a lot in his capacity to ensure that the country is free from importing foodstuff from other countries.”

“The youths should key into this laudable project. They need to take a cue from Gbenga, who is a youth. They should engage in local food production, through agribusiness. This will make our country a food-independent nation. The process will put our nation on the food production list, and with that, there will be food for us all in abundance.”

“Our government should look and make the area of local food production their priority like they have promised. This will produce more job opportunities for our youths, as well produce more food for the entire citizens of the country and it will be for the betterment of us all.”

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, who was represented by Oba Kemade Elugbaju, called for the support of traditional rulers to ensure that local food production is a sustainable project.

He said “Some of our youths are so serious and we have to support them to thrive in their legitimate businesses. We have to give them all the support they needed to succeed in their businesses.”

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, also stressed the importance of local food production, saying having enough food to eat in the country is a form of security. Food security, he noted, would help in reducing the crime rate in the country.

Traditional rulers, according to him, should support Titan Farms and other youths that have an interest in agriculture. He also noted that Titan Farm has helped the country to reduce the unemployment rate, apart from providing food for the masses.

At the occasion, the company, which was founded by Gbenga Eyiolawi; Aare Kebimapalu of Ibadanland, awarded scholarships to 50 students and donated boreholes to ten communities in Ife, Osun State, and Ibadan, Oyo State.