By Kayode Olabanji, Okitipupa

The Arapanata of Itebu-Kunmi Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Aderibigbe Olomola, has called on the Ondo State government to increase its investment in agriculture.

The monarch made this appeal during the commissioning of the Itebu-Kunmi Oil Palm Community Project (OPCP) in Ilaje Local Government Area.

The oil palm project was initiated by the monarch in collaboration with the sons and daughters of the community.

Oba Olomola expressed appreciation to the Ondo State governor, His Excellency Mr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his commitment and dedication to transforming the state from a mono-economy to one with diverse economic strides.

He warned that Ondo State’s economy remains at risk if the government continues to focus solely on building health centres, town halls, and constructing roads without substantial investments in agriculture, the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy. The monarch urged the state government to prioritise agriculture to enhance the state’s economic stability.

Oba Olomola also praised the sons and daughters of Itebu-Kunmi who have been tirelessly working to secure the community’s rightful place in the economy of Ondo State and Nigeria at large.

Similarly, the Amapetu of Mahin Land, HRM Oba Segun Williams Akinyomi, expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa for addressing the concerns of Ondo State’s residents. He also appealed to the governor to invest further in agricultural production, utilising the vast farmland in Ilaje Local Government, particularly in Mahin Land, which, he said, possesses ample land to boost the state’s economy.

Representing the state government, Mr Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agro Business and Food Security, commended Oba Olomola for his visionary ideas and contributions to the state’s economic growth, and he pledged both personal and government support to enhance the agricultural investment.

Akinsola noted that Ilaje Local Government boasts some of the best soil and farmland in Nigeria for cultivating crops like cassava and oil palm trees.

He revealed that the Ondo State government is planning to establish a senatorial farm, likely in Ilaje Local Government, which will require 2,000 hectares of land. Additionally, he announced that the Commonwealth Women’s Programme is expected to come to Ondo State soon, with a proposed investment of $200 million in agriculture, requiring about 10,000 hectares of land.

He stressed that agriculture is the optimal path forward for the state’s economic development.