N7.6 billion: ‘Spread the loan across the state’, Okeogun youths tell Oyo government

OkeOgun Youths Association has called on Oyo state government to reconsider its decision to spend the recently approved N7.6billion CBN loan by the state house of Assembly on Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements only.

The call was made when the management of OkeOgun Green Revolution initiative of OkeOgun Youths Association paid a courtesy visit to the deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan recently.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Bola Olalere, the project coordinator of OkeOgun Green Revolution who expressed the association’s concern over the plan of the state government to spend the N7.6billion loan recently approved by the state house of assembly on Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements only, said that it will be unfair on the other regions, especially OkeOgun region, which is the unarguable food basket of state.

” Our Association plead with you, your Excellency to take this our concern to the state Governor , Engr. Seyi Makinde who we believe will amend the bill and spread the loan across the state ” Olalere pleaded with the deputy Governor.

Speaking further, Olalere informed that the OkeOgun Green Revolution project is aimed at encouraging youths from the region to engage in profitable, sustainable and commercial agriculture by creating a platform that will generate networks that will make the work easier and interesting to them.

He disclosed that the association has acquired 1500 hectares of land in four different locations across OkeOgun and currently having about 1600 registered members who are ready to take farming as their main occupation.

 

Responding,  the Deputy Governor, Engr Olaniyan promised the government unflinching support for Oke Ogun Green Revolution initiative of Okeogun Youth Association.

 

He assured that Governor Makinde’s led administration is ready to implement policies that will develop agriculture and generate employment for the youths in all regions of the state

“Oke Ogun being the food basket of the nation would be given adequate attention. It will enjoy improved infrastructural facilities and good road networks that will make life easier for the people and boost the economy of the region ” Olaniyan stated.

He also hinted that part of their plans is to make credit facilities available to young farmers , build silos, for storage and offtake most of their products after harvesting.

He added  that with the dry port coming to Ibadan it will be easier to export agricultural products direct from the state without having to go to Lagos.