Categories: Oduduwa

Olubadan, Ooni to Southwest governors: To Avoid The Extintion Of Agriculture And Its Research

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso I and the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, have urged governors in the Southwest to avoid the extinction of agriculture and its research.

The monarchs said proceeds of agriculture were used to develop the region in the First Republic and pre-Independence days.

They advised politicians to stop doling out motorcycles to youths but encourage them to return to farming to forestall the extinction of agriculture in the region.

The frontline monarchs spoke yesterday at the 30th annual Southwest Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage Systems (REFILS) workshop organised by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Oba Adetunji was represented by the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Amidu Ajibade and Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi by Oba Adebisi Layade Alara Oodaye of Araland Ife.

Oba Adetunji said: “You said graduates are riding Okada (commercial motorcycles). This is because there is no love. They should stop buying Okada for our youths. Tell them to stop that.

“I asked if this institution is getting support from the Federal Government. They said no; those who should do so are not doing it.

“Our governors must support agriculture and research to prevent them from extinction. Now, all state governments need to stand up and develop agriculture.

“You need to meet traditional rulers to make a request on what you need and see if it wouldn’t be granted, at least some pieces of land to cultivate on it too, rather than requesting for Okada’s for transportation to be able to satisfy their needs.

You that are on the top, you don’t help your younger ones, it is important for you to help because most of you that are retiring, you don’t look back at those who succeed you, the other tribes help themselves, this cause the backwardness in Yorubaland. Those who you send to Abuja as representatives, most of them are looking for money to fill their own pockets”.

IAR&T Executive Director, Professor James Adediran in his welcome address called on SW governors urged state governors to look into the problems facing REFILS and approve funds for the execution of the relevant projects, saying,”I will like to invite the attention of all the chief executive officers of the states concerned to look critically into problems facing REFILS and approve funds for the execution of relevant projects”.

Professor Adediran declared that the workshop was aimed to bring stakeholders such as scientists, agrochemical companies, input supply agencies, policy makers, NGOs and farmers together to find a pragmatic solution to production constraints in agricultural development as well as for formulation of technological messages emanating from trials conducted for mass adoption by farmers.