By Fatima Muraina

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The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was yesterday honoured by Farmers Association named “Oba Lagbe” Modern Farmers for making the state conducive for development.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Olayato Aribo speaking on behalf of the governor assured that the Governor would continue to do his best to protect lives and property in the state and ensure it is conducive to  investors.

Aribo stressed that the formation of the Amotekun corps was a courageous step taken by Akeredolu to ensure the state is safe from criminal elements.

He harped on the need to go back to farm to defeat hunger and add value to farm produce by processing them to safeguard wastage.

The Commissioner lamented encroachment into forest reserves, stressing that government will not fold its arms and allow such act to destroy forests, saying they belong to the state and not for an individual or group of people.

He explained further that whoever that is interested in farming should apply for land in the ministry and desist from encroaching into government land.

The Commissioner commended traditional leaders who are into farming, saying the act would influence their subjects to go into agriculture as well.

He, promised that government through the Ministry would look into their requests and do justice to it especially provision of lands for youths.

Mr Aribo thanked members of Oba Lagbe modern farmers for honouring his principal and himself, saying the awards would encourage them to continue to initiate programmes and policies that would affect lives positively.

Earlier, the leader of the group, HRH, Oba Vincent Osowo, the traditional ruler of Laje in Ondo West Local Government area said the awards were in recognition of their services to the state.

Oba Osowo said that the pro-activeness of the Governor led to the formation of Amotekun, which he described as laudable initiative and farmers are more comfortable working on their farms without fear.