It seems the meaning of the Yoruba adage which talks about the ” okobo”, the impotent man is lost on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.
The ” okobo”, on the night of his marriage abandoned his marital duty and opted to be threading needles, leaving his newly married bride disappointed on their bed.
” Ohun a ni ki okobo o bo, ko le boo, igba abere lo nbo lookun”.
I read a story about a proposed Documentary to be released by the ace Film maker, Tunde Kelani in respect of the ” remarkable turnaround” of the Fashola Agri-business hubs.
In normal times, such news should not generate any special concerns but this are not normal times at all.
Nigerians and most especially, citizens of Oyo state are groaning , under the high cost of food prices.
Prices of food commodities like cassava flour, Garri, maize, pepper, tomatoes and yam has gone beyond the reach of the common man.
Governor Makinde himself, a couple of days ago confirmed that it is a shame that Nigeria has resorted to importation of food.
I agree with Governor Makinde that our Leaders, Governor Makinde inclusive, should be extremely ashamed of themselves.
Nigerians have no reason to lack food if our Leaders are visionary, selfless and creative.
I will now address my concerns about the proposed Documentary about Fashola.
Governor Seyi Makinde in the past five years has committed billions of Naira to Agribusiness.
What he told the citizens of Oyo state was that he would upgrade the Farm Settlements at Fashola, Akufo and Eruwa to Agric hubs.
So far, the only Farm Settlement where activities could be noticed is that of Fashola in Oyo Town.
Nothing concrete is happening in Akufo and sadly, both the Eruwa Farm Settlement and the Cashew plantation are allegedly being processed for sale.
Now, let us face Fashola and see whether whatever is going on there has affected the ordinary citizen of Oyo state.
Before we do that, let us try and make meaning of what Governor Makinde is doing in Fashola with a view to determining its relevance to food sufficiency.
Governor Makinde opted to invest in Agribusiness.
What is Agribusiness? According to google, Agribusiness is the industry, enterprises and the field of study of value chains in Agriculture.
Now, what is Agriculture? Same google describes Agriculture as encompassing crop and livestock production, agriculture, fisheries and forestry for food and non-food products.
The question that will excise the mind of a right thinking person is to ask whether investments in Agriculture wouldn’t have benefitted an average citizen of Oyo state more than Agribusiness?
When Awolowo conceptualized the ideas of those Farm Settlements, was his intentions to convert it to an Agric hub or to sell them?
The answer is a capital NO.
Those Farm Settlements were established purely for Agricultural purposes.
Planting, harvesting, storage and live stock production were the main activities going on at the Farm Settlements.
It is unfortunate, that a Documentary where Awolowo’s name will be used as usual, for political gains by those who never genuinely believed in his concepts will be taking place at Fashola.
Would Awolowo ever contemplate the sale of any of those Farm Settlements or would he have turned any of the Farm settlements to an Agric hub?
Nigerians and of course, Oyo state citizens are hungry because those who found themselves in positions of authority have decided to neutralize the concepts of Awolowo in the Agric sector.
There a lot of Lebanese Companies which are specialized in livestock farming and they are not only employers of Labor, they are equally doing well.
Assuming Governor Makinde had diverted the almost 8 billion Naira Loan he spent on Agri-business on livestock production, Oyo state by now would be giving serious competition to the Lebanese and the citizens wouldn’t have been buying one live chicken for over twenty thousand Naira.
It leaves a sour taste in the mouth that so much has been invested on Agri-business when they could have been directed at massive Agricultural endeavors.
Governor Seyi Makinde and Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos state were elected for the first term in 2019.
Before the expiration of Governor Sanwoolu’ s first term, he had partnered with Kebbi state to produce LAKE Rice.
Similarly, before the term ended, Lagos state had conveniently completed Its Rice Mills and same was Commissioned by the former president Mohammadu Buhari.
That is how to invest in Agriculture for the citizens to benefit.
The current Governor of Niger state is one shining light when you discuss Governors who are dedicated to and serious about Agriculture.
His activities are yielding fruits because Niger state is safe from food insufficiency.
He recently purchased Tractors for farmers in Niger state to plough their farm at highly subsidized rates.
Interestingly, the Governors of those states and others who have demonstrated genuine commitment to food production are not calling out the Federal Government.
They are busy playing their parts refraining from buck passing.
Only God knows at what cost the Documentary in question would be produced.
It is definitely a deliberate Public Relations project.
Governor Makinde will do well to appear in the Drama so that he can tell the people of Oyo state how much he has spent on Agri-business? How much we have made? How many hectres of farm belongs to Oyo state in Fashola and what is planted therein? How many tonnes of Maize have we exported to Botswana? What is the number of birds Oyo state has in Fashola?
He should also tell us why the Eruwa Farm Settlement is being considered for sale and what is happening in Akufo?
He must let us know how much the Documentary costs and how it will affect the prices of Garri, cassava flour, Rice, Beans and pepper in our markets.
I do not see what is there in Fashola to be celebrated.
At best, Oyo state Government will generate more IGR.
When this IGR are generated, what eventually happens to them?
To repay Loans?
The last time I checked, Oyo state Government doesn’t own a plot of farm land in Fashola or anywhere for that matter.
What manner of Agriculture are now practicing and celebration that the Governor wishes to celebrate in line with the beliefs of Awolowo?
What manner of Agriculture is the Governor dissipating energies upon and investing billions of Naira on that will not bring a bag of Rice to our local markets?
Those who are investing in Fashola are purely businessman who are free to sell their products at any price and at any market of their choice.
Awolowo had Silos and storages in those Farm Settlements in those days where food crops were stored as reserves in case of shortages.
Where are Oyo state food reserves today?
Whatever the Governor is doing in Fashola, it is a clear departure from the concepts of Awolowo.
Awolowo established the Farm Settlements purely for the people. Governor Makinde’s Agribusiness is purely conceptualized to favor all comer businessmen.
That is why Oyo state lacks the capacity to fight hunger.
The bellies of the citizens are whistling due to acute hunger.
” Ebi npa mi, olose nkiri”. The hungry man doesn’t fancy the voice of the one hawking soap.
The citizens are hungry and angry, to borrow the Governor’s exact words.
What they need is what the Governors of Lagos, Niger, Nassarawa and others are doing – concrete action.
Oyo state citizens are not interested in Grammar and Drama.
They need food at very affordable prices.
Is that not why Governor Makinde diverted close to 8 billion Naira Loan earlier earmarked for Road infrastructures by his predecessor on Agri-business.
To ensure food sufficiency?
Where is the result of the investments?
Governor Makinde should enjoy his Drama or is it Documentary alone and not bother us with a Documentary that will bring nothing to the table.
He who is hungry doesn’t listen to sermons.
” Eni ebi npa o gbo iwaasu”.
SOLA ABEGUNDE
