The leading governorship aspirant under the All Progressive Congress(APC), Rt. Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, has promised to invest heavily in agriculture to ensure food security in Ondo State. Concerned about the back position Ondo is taking in agriculture and food production, the former Deputy Speaker of Ondo House of Assembly said he will provide an enabling environment for farmers to thrive in the state.
Speaking to party members at one of his council tours in Ondo West/East LGAs, Akinfolarin is confident his plans will put Ondo State on the map while producing food for the people and earning substantial funds for the government. The ex-lawmaker believes the agricultural agenda will revive cocoa, the mainstay of the old Western Nigerian economy and the main source of income of Ondo people.
“The three local governments I’ve visited today are mostly known for cocoa production. My parents were farmers and I am a farmer as well. So, I know the nitty gritty of agriculture, so I will convert this state to an agricultural base through mechanized farming.
“The primary responsibility of the government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and as someone saddled with the responsibility of governance, I will create an enabling environment for farmers and other businesses to thrive.
“If you look at most of the cocoa trees in Ondo State, they are over 70 years in age. So, it will be in my interest and the interest of the people of the state to ensure that I have access to improved seedlings that would produce fruits within three years.
“Just like I did when I was in the House of Representatives, I bought two graders, knowing fully well that I am from an agrarian constituency, so, I bought two tractors, one for Ile-Oluji, one for Odigbo. So, we embarked on yearly grading.
“It is shocking and painful that the youths, after graduation, will still depend on their parents to feed them. However, under my watch, this shall no longer be the case.”
Worried about the availability and usage of palm fruits decades ago, Akinfolarin said “it is shameful for Nigeria to import red oil from the people who came here years back to pick palm fruit, that has now become the major revenue for them, especially Malaysia.”
A former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Temitayo Fawehinmi and the chairman of the party in Ondo West LG, Benard Aro, vouched for Akinfolarin’s experience and innate knowledge to take the state to the promised land.
Fawehinmi said, “Akinfolarin is sympathetic and some people see him as too gentle for the difficult task of politics but for somebody that has gone so far in winning elections five times and being supported by his people over the years, I think ruling the state will be easy and comfortable for him”
Mayowa Akinfolarin was a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives between 2015 and 2023.
Oluwagbenga Ajongbolo,
Spokesperson, Mayowa Akinfolarin Campaign Organization.
