OWO TERROR ATTACK: GOV AKEREDOLU CONFIRMS ARREST OF ATTACKERS

OWO TERROR ATTACK: GOV AKEREDOLU CONFIRMS ARREST OF ATTACKERS

...Warns Ebiras In Ondo Against Venturing Into Kidnapping.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has confirmed the arrest of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

The Governor confirmed the arrest shortly after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor made the announcement in Abuja. 

Governor Akeredolu further disclosed that the owner of the house where the attackers stayed before the June 5 attack in Owo has also been arrested 

He noted that government did not spare a moment in trailing the terrorists since the horrendous attacks on innocent worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo. 

Arakunrin Akeredolu spoke during a courtesy visit to his office by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by the Chairman of the Council, Prince Leke Adegbite. 

He said:”Now that the military has announced it, I can tell you that five of them have been arrested now. They are still on the trail of the rest. The home where they lodged in Owo and the person that accommodated them before the attack, has also been arrested. 

“We did not spare a moment. I am happy that the Chief of Defence Staff has announced it. We have known for a while but we needed not to come out with it because more works are still ongoing. I can confirm that this arrest has been made. And they are still on the trail of some of them.” 

Governor Akeredolu has also called on leaders of the Ebira community in the state to warn their young ones not to copy the bad venture of kidnapping.

The Governor said recent reports from victims of kidnap in the state have established that some Ebira indigenes are now involved in the unwholesome act. 

He noted that the Ebiras have lived together with the people of the state peacefully for several decades, adding that they have always been supportive and hardworking. 

“I want to use this medium to urge our brothers to concentrate on their farming trade. It will be unfortunate to know that the Ebiras in our midst are now involved in kidnapping. 

“We are appealing to them not to copy bad thing. The traders selling by the road side should not become informants. We are not fighting them. 

“We have seen their numbers, they supported and voted for us during elections. I will call their leaders and talk to them. Our brothers who were  kidnapped on their way to Ikare, talk to them. They were taken to Ebira farmsteads. 

“For me, we have lived together for too long for this to happen. I am ready to make any effort to ensure that the conviviality that we have enjoyed continues. But we are begging their leaders to urge them not to copy bad thing. They are in our midst , we are surrounded by them. The issue of security is key and it’s dynamic.” Governor Akeredolu noted. 

The Governor, who  thanked the NUJ in the state for the cooperation extended to his administration, assured them of sustained efforts at developing the state. 

On the issue of Security, Governor Akeredolu disclosed that aside the recent recruitment and training of new Amotekun personnel, 20 hunters and local vigilantes will be trained by the Amotekun corps in each of the eighteen local government areas in the state. 

Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ondo State Council thanked the Governor for his support for the management of OSRC and Owena Press PLC, adding that the upgrade of facilities in the two state-owned media outfits is commendable. 

He equally appreciated the Governor for the approval of the Weigh-in allowance for journalists and information officers working in the State and Local government service.

Richard Olatunde 

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. 

August 9, 2022.

THE TINUBU I KNOW, A VISIONARY LEADER PER EXCELLENT~CAPT. SUNDAY ADEBOMI.

THE TINUBU I KNOW, A VISIONARY LEADER PER EXCELLENT~CAPT. SUNDAY ADEBOMI.

....we should endeavours to settle all the dispute within the party.

Capt. Sunday Ebenezer Adebomi, one of All Progressives Congress APC  stalwart in Ekiti State has described Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC Presidential Flagbearer in the forthcoming 2023 Presidential elections as a visionary leader per excellent that can take Nigeria 🇳🇬 to its peaks. 

Capt. Sunday Adebomi disclosed this in an exclusive discussion with 'TEAM SEA FOR BAT 2023', a voluntary group created to champion door to door campaign for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

According to him, "A visionary leader always proffer solutions from history , that are, sustainable and dependable to prennial problems of great nations. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains an embodiment of true leadership humility and a man highly reputed for his humane and humble disposition, he explained."

He stated further that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of such rare gems, that Nigerian Plotical Power Dinosaurs and Millennials must not missed. 

"Agriculture has always been source of economic development globally. Do you know that USA, China, Brazil, Argentina, Ukraine and India are the top six (6) countries in the world with highest production of Corn and millets which form part of their income generating?.

However 'Corn' and 'Cassava' plantations can abate tempo of food supply chain (problems) in Nigeria and beyond, if properly managed. #Bola Ahmed Tinubu never suffered from Verbal Diarrhea on his (Tinubu) assertions."

Earlier in his word, the Retired Captian urged the party All Progressives Congress (APC) to settle all the dispute within the party before the 2023 Presidential elections. 

He said, "please let us forget about muslim & Muslim ticket, let mobilize our people to get their Permanent Voters Card, and we should try to settle all the dispute within the party, I think this should be our next step for now."

ITS TINUBU WE KNOW

ITS TINUBU WE TRUST

ITS TINUBU WE HAVE

TINUBU OUR COLLECTIVE ASPIRATIONS.

Dear Nigerians let's all come together in unity as we support;

B

O

L

A

AHMED TINUBU 

FOR PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 🇳🇬 

E-SIGNED:

SEA MEDIA TEAM FOR TINUBU 2023

HISTORY OF IKOYI-OSUN IN OSUN STATE.

HISTORY OF IKOYI-OSUN IN OSUN STATE.
...Ikoyi esho omo arogunmasa

What had been handed down from generation across and examined by regular historians was that the foundations of the Yoruba nation was laid by Odua sixteen (16) decendancy who gave birth to the various states/kingdoms or groups found in Nigeria, the republic of Benin, Trinidad and Tobago and in some other parts of South America.

The Yoruba states are; Awori, Akoko, Benin/Edo, Egbado/Yewa, Egba, Ekiti, Ijesa, Ijebu, Igbomina, Ikale, Ilaje, Itshekiri, Sabe, Yagba, Ondo and so on. These kingdoms established by the Yoruba sixteen beaded crowns known as Olori-Alade and their generations, which the Odu-Ifa or the Ifa copious acknowledge as: “Alade Merindinlogun Ile Odua” meaning the Sixteen Beaded Crowns found in the land of Odua.

There is a slight disagreement on the exact day Ikoyi was founded, as the earliest people leaves no writing record, but the people of Ikoyi believed it was since 16th century. Meanwhile, suffice is to note that there are many Ikoyi scattered all around Yorubaland, with central headquarter of all Ikoyi’s is believed to be that in the present Oyo state. Meanwhile, while the present people of Ikoyi-Osun has laid claimed to writing of Samuel Johnson in his monumental work, my finding has realistically shown that Adegun mentioned was the King of Ikoyi-Odan who was a friend of Toyeje of Ogbomoso, in present Oyo state.

Thus, controversies bedeviled the history of Ikoyi-Osun as there are versions of their history. However, even among the group who departed Itajero together, there are still sharp disagreements among historians as to the legitimacy of a segment of them, forming the disparities and controversies in Yoruba history. Although, attempt had not been made to plunder or alter the number to preserve the tradition as pronounce by the Ifa Oracle, but they have considered many kings to fill the spots as names of the towns have not been regular. Therefore, the pre-eminence and position of some Oba look confusing, complex and difficult to be objectively accepted. Meanwhile, it’s an acceptable fact that there was not one wave of migration, rather, there were many as recounted in history. Olufunminiyi, the progenitor of the Ikoyi people was not nominally part of 16 princes which according to Samuel Johnson dispersed at Itajero, and neither was he part of the 10 kings who had met at Okuta mewa in Igbajo as the tradition says.

However, as had often seen, the migration and settlement pattern of any Yorubaland is often attached to Ile-Ife which is believed to be the cradle of Yoruba race, meanwhile there is another version which believed Ikoyi should be link with Ikoyi-Odan in Ogbomoso.

One version of the history posited that Ikoyi-Ile could be traced to one Adegun who is believed to be one of the grandsons of Oduduwa. He was one of the kings that ruled in the ancient town of Ikoyi-Ile, situated on a small rising to about 1000ft and is about nine miles North-West of Ogbomoso 100 and 10miles to Katunga or Old Oyo and about forty three miles to the present Oyo. Adegun was said to be father of Olufunmi who was the founder of Ikoyi in Osun State. Ikoyi was believed to have been coined from the statement which is “Olu mi ko yi pada” meaning that I would never return to Ikoyi Ile, his former settlement. The above expression is faulty as Adegun himself was a 19th century king of Ikoyi-Odan, except to conclude that Ikoyi-Osun is a 19th century creation. But notwithstanding, the settlement must surely have something to do with Ikoyi-Odan.

Another version of the history stated that Olufunmi was also known as Olugbade who was having problem with child bearing. Due to this, he consulted Ifa Oracle to know what was actually wrong with him. He was directed by the Ifa priest to leave his father land for him to surmount the problems. This made Olufunmi to take a bold step by leaving his father land according to the dictate of Ifa priest to wherever he heard the crying of a bird called “Agbigbo”. It’s believe that he was given a beaded crown to show that he was a true prince and to be recognized as an Oba, before he left. Among the people that left Ikoyi with Olufunmi were Oluoosa, Olusomi, Ehun and Olundegun. He therefore set on a journey as Ifa oracle has dictate. After a long travelling and wandering in the bush, they got to a big river where he heard “Agbigbo” crying and wild animals talking like human beings. It was the river now called Osun River. It’s about twenty one kilometers to present Ikoyi. This river intersects the road going from Ibadan to Ife, cradle of all Yoruba. It was at the bank of this river Olufunmi and his party first settled.

Their stay at the bank of the river Osun was not long because of the problem of mosquito bite which they faced. As a result, they moved a very kilometer away to settle at a place which is now the boundaries between Ijebu and Osun state. Later, they migrated to the present site which was formally called Ikoyi koto due to its topography. Meanwhile, another separate account stated that their migration from the bank of the river was because, at first the Osun goddess has informed them that for them to stay at the bank of the river, they have to maintain extra-cleanliness as she wouldn’t condole dirtiness around the river, but the people faulted this forewarned order, and the river overflow its bank and some of their property was swept away. That was the reason they left the place to their present settlement, formally known as Ikoyi-koto. It’s at Ikoyi-koto that Olufunmi vowed not to return to their former abode, and was quoted to have said “olu mi ko yi”, metamorphosing to Ikoyi and the name of the king being Olukoyi.

Source: Gossip House
Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J.
09068215955

BRIEF HISTORY OF IBADAN, CAPITAL CITY OF OYO STATE NIGERIA.

BRIEF HISTORY OF IBADAN, CAPITAL CITY OF OYO STATE NIGERIA.
...Bashorun Gaa was the head of the Oyo Mesi, He was a monster in the kingdom.

Creation of Ibadan was circumstantial. The history of Ibadan had long been preserved through oral history but written record says it was formed in 1829. After the collapse of the Yoruba Empire towards the end of the 18th century, ‘Eba Odan’ had been populated by Yoruba rebels. ‘Eba Odan’ means between the forests and the plains and it was surrounded by seven hills, it functioned as a sacred area for the fighters that fled the war. Before the existence of Ibadan, Oyo, a very powerful empire, was long established and govern larger part of Yoruba land, many fierce independent warriors emerged from Oyo such as Bashorun Gaa.

Bashorun Gaa was the head of the Oyo Mesi, He was a monster in the kingdom. While on the throne as prime minister between 1750 and 1774, Bashorun Gaa was a classical tyrant ruler. He instrumental the killing of four kings or forced them to commit suicide (Faleti,1972). Alaafin Labisi 1750 after 17 days on the throne; Alaafin Awonbioju 1750 after 130 days on the throne; Alaafin Agboluaye 1750-1772 (Agboluaje submitted to Bashorun Gaa’s dictation but was later forced to commit suicide under the command of Bashorun Gaa) and also executed Alaafin Majeogbe 1772-1773. He also instructed the murder of the daughter of Alaafin Abiodun and later used the victim for money ritual. Bashorun Gaa, unconstitutionally hijacked all the political power and machinery of Oyo kingdom.

Front view of Cocoa house in Ibadan.

The elimination of Bashorun Gaa was a difficult task. It cost the old Oyo kingdom lots of both human and natural resources. Alaafin Abiodun and Oyo warriors in collaboration with Aare-Ona-Kaka-N-fo Oyalabi, arrested Gaa. He was tied to a stake at Akesan market and Alaafin Abiodun ordered that every citizen should cut a pound of flesh from his body and drop it in a huge fire in front of him. He was made to smell the odour of his own flesh, his nose was not allowed to be cut. The remains of his body were later burnt in fire to prevent his re-incarnation.

His embarrassing death led to the popular Yoruba saying that “Bi o ba la’ya O si’ka; bi’o ba ri’ku Gaa, O sooto” which means (if you are wicked and pigheaded when you see the death of Gaa, try to be good and speak the truth) Before 1829 Lagelu, the Jagun (commander-in-chief) of Ife and Yoruba's generalissimo, left Ile Ife with some people from Ife, Oyo and Ijebu to found a new city, at Eba Odan, the first city was destroyed due to an incident at an Egungun (masquerade) festival when an Egungun was accidentally disrobed and mocked by women and children in an open marketplace. Meanwhile, In Yorubaland, it was an abomination for women to have eye-to-eye contact with Egungun, Egungun was considered to be the dead forefathers who returned to the earth each year to bless their descendant. When this news reached Sango, the then Alaafin of Oyo, he commanded that Eba-Odan be destroyed for committing such abominable act.

Lagelu and some of his people fled to a nearby hill for protection (sacred place). On the hill they survived by eating Oro fruit and Igbin (snails); later, they cultivated the land and made corn and millets into pap meals (eko), which they ate with roasted snails. They improvised a bit by using the snail shells (Ikarahun Igbin) to drink the liquefied eko. This eating habit formed part of the ancestral praise (Oriki) of Ibadan people today. Later, Lagelu and his people came down from the hill and founded another city called Eba'dan on the same spot.

They began to welcome more people to expand. Eba’dan became a refugee center. Various people, such as warriors, war escapee, escaped slaves, people in exile etc from various parts of other Yoruba cities. They developed more flexible laws because of the diverse nature of the people. Ibadan grew into an impressive and sprawling urban centre so much that by the end of 1829, Ibadan dominated the Yorùbá region militarily, politically and economically. Shortly, Lagelu died, leaving behind a politically oriented people and a very stable community. Around 1826/27, Afọnja of Ilorin, who was the Arẹ-Ọna-Kankan-Fo of old Ọyọ Empire, refused to carry out the order of Alaafin, when told to wage war against Iwere-Ile, a Yoruba town in Oyo.

An unresolved rivalry brewed between Alaafin and Afọnja. Afọnja formed alliance with Alimi, the head of Fulani warriors (who are settlers in Ilorin) against Ọyọ, and Oyo kingdom was destroyed. Unfortunately, Fulani supporters turned against Afonja as well and killed him on the order of Alimi. Ilọrin also lost its independence and became Fulani controlled territory. Therefore, whenever Yoruba says Ilorin is afonja’s city, Fulani will say ‘’it is Alimi’s city. This led to the present saying of ‘Ilorin afonja-Geri alimi’. In 1840, Fulani Caliphate began to raid towards Ibadan, Oyo indigenes begin to retreats towards Ibadan, a well developed Ibadan army confronted them and pushed Fulani back to Ilorin. Few people later moved back to Oyo to form new Oyo Kingdom, but a weaker one, and many decided to stay in Ibadan.

Ibadan kept growing economically and politically and become a safer zone for all Yoruba people. During this booming era of Ibadan, one of the powerful business woman was Efunsetan Aniwura, an Egba descendant (who became Iyalode of Ibadan). Efunsetan Aniwura (owner of Gold) was a wealthy business woman at Oja-Oba in Ibadan, she owns lots of landed property and hundreds of slaves. Oral evidence reveals that she had three large farms with no less than 100 slaves working on each at a time. She extended credit facilities as form of ammunition to the various Ibadan warriors (Ajagun’ta) when they were going on their military expeditions in 1872.

She had a terrible sense of loss. Her only daughter died in 1860 during childbirth. Therefore, with the stigma of not having a progeny to inherit her legacies, she blamed God for her tragedy and vent anger on her slave and the society, becoming wicked, cruel and heartless. Her slaves are usually identified in the market with signs of cane stripes all over their body. Efunsetan kicked against the military expansion of Aare Latoosa and stopped extending credit facilities to Latoosa when Latoosa set out for another war in 1874 (Osewa, 2005; Ilesanmi, 2010). After returning from battle field, Latoosa levied three charges against Efunsetan which led to plot of death against her around 1874.

In 1893 Ibadan area became a British Protectorate after a treaty signed by Fijabi, the Baale of Ibadan with the British acting Governor of Lagos, George C. Denton on 15 August.
By then the population of Ibadan had grown to round 120,000 which made Ibadan the third most populated City in the whole of Africa after Cairo and Johannesburg. The British developed the new colony to facilitate Ibadan commercial activities and Ibadan shortly grew into the major trading center that it is today.
LONG LIVE IBADAN…LONG LIVE YORUBALAND...

Source: Gossip House
Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J.
09068215955

HISTORY OF YEWA IN OGUN STATE NIGERIA

HISTORY OF YEWA IN OGUN STATE
...A typical Yewa man is a symbol of a quintessential personality and a good example of Omoluwabi.

Map of Yewa, Ogun State. 

Yewa (formerly Egbado) is a multicultural diverse sub ethnic group of Yoruba people located in Ogun State, South west region of Nigeria with an estimated population figure of 1.8 million people spread across the present day five local governments of Yewa South, Yewa North, Imeko Afon, Ipokia and some communities in the present Ado-Odo Ota and Abeokuta North local governments areas of Ogun State. The Origin of the people is linked to the cradle history of Yorubaland of the popular Ile-Ife and Oyo traditions.

The early Yewa settlers were great warriors,
hunters and princes who were said to have
migrated from Ketu, Ile ife and Oyo in the 15th,16th and 17th centuries . Another migration also took place in the 18th and 19th centuries as a result of Dahomey and Egba invasions of some Northern Yewa towns. These migrations of different groups largely resulted in settlements of independent kingdoms and chiefdoms of diverse ethnic and sub-ethnic groups that constitute the various Yewa towns and villages. The Yewa people in the contemporary history, are predominantly farmers and traders largely found in the western part of Ogun State, Nigeria.

It borders Lagos to the South, Oyo State in the North while its close location to the international Border of Nigeria and Republic of Benin in its Eastern border has considerable effect on international commercial activities. It must be mentioned that the area was a major slave trade route to the coast which made it subject of external attacks by slave merchants in their bids to force open the slave routes to the sea.

Essentially, the Yewa people as a multi-ethnic language community consists the Sabe, the Ije (Ohori), Ifonyin,Eyo, Egbado, Ketu, Anago and the Egun speaking languages. On the Northen part of Yewaland are Ketu towns of Ijaka, Ijoun, Owode ketu, Igan-Alade, Egua, Tata, Ilara, Imeko, Afon, Idofa etc. In the South are the Yewa other towns of the Ketu and Ije (Ohori),Oja-odan, Obele, Pobe, Ibeku, Iselu while further south are the Ifonyin, Ikolaje, Ihunbo, Ilase, and Ifonyintedo.

Located in the Eastern part are communities’ refered to as “Egbado”. These includes Ilaro, Ibara, Ilewo, Imasayi,Imala, Ilobi, Ibese, Isaga,
Iboro, Joga, Ayetoro, Idofoyi, Tibo, Keesan, Oke- odan, Igan-Okoto, Sawonjo Erinja, Igbogila, Ajilete among others. South of the Egbado are the Anago, Eyo and Egun people who settled in Ipokia, Agosasa, Ijofin, Maun, Tube, Ibatefin etc. It’s people also includes the Egbado and Awori towns Ado odo, Igbesa,Ikogbo, Agbara, Alapoti etc.

Like other communities across the globe
despites its multicultural orientation, the Yewa community has a relatively good history of peaceful co-existence among its people and neighbors, perhaps because of its well coordinated community relations and high respect for native authority residual in the Obaship Institution and native authority which plays significant roles in native administration, native laws, peace and security including societal norm and values. A typical Yewa man is a symbol of a quintessential personality and a good example of Omoluwabi.

The Yewa Traditional Council otherwisely referred to as “Council of Obas” is a veritable Institution in this respect. The complimentary roles the Council is playing in conflict management and resolution has great impact in enduring peace and peaceful co-existence in the Community. The Council is headed by the Olu of Ilaro, who since 1993 became the President and Paramount ruler of Yewa land following a consensus agreement among the crown- heads of Yewa towns and Communities.

The various sub ethnic groups that is today
known as Yewa were administratively grouped under the Egbado Division of the then known Abeokuta province. In 1995, following a report of research conducted by the “Yewa think tank”, (a group of prominent educated elites and leaders of thoughts) it was unanimously resolved that the people formerly referred to as Egbado be forthwith known and called YEWA . The change according to Anthony Asiwaju was “motivated by the need to tackle an identity problem of correcting a double misnomer that had applied to the wider multi-ethnic and the particular sub groups formerly labeled as “EGBADO” and more significantly for self determination of the entire people who not only share cultural but also geographical affinity over the Yewa River to explore new ground for Unity and Progress”

Significantly, the Yewa people are notable for their very rich cultural heritage. Its popular type of music includes bolojo, agasa, ajangbode, ponse etc while the people are traditional worshipers of Egungun, Gelede and oro cults.

Source: Gossip House
Researcher: Comr Olamide Akinwumi James
09068215955

OYEBANJI HAILS FEDERAL HIGH COURT RULING ON HIS CANDIDACY

OYEBANJI HAILS FED HIGH COURT RULING ON HIS CANDIDACY

…urges supporters to be magnanimous in victory.

 ...Extends olive branch to Petitioner, Kayode Ojo.

Ekiti State Governor-elect, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has hailed the judgement of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti affirming him as the validly elected candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the June 18, governorship election in the state.

Oyebanji in a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, shortly after the High Court judgement, described the ruling, which threw out the petition of one of the aspirants, Mr Kayode Ojo, as a landmark judgement which will put to rest the controversies surrounding the January 27 APC primaries.

While lauding the judiciary for living up to its reputation as the last hope of the common man, Oyebanji said he was happy the court upheld the decision of over a hundred thousand APC members that voted for him as the party’s candidate during the primaries on January 27.

The Governor-elect urged his supporters to be magnanimous in victory, stressing that the case is a family affair, which should not warrant any name calling or bad blood among members of the party.

He also called on Engr Kayode Ojo and a few others who might have issues with the outcome of the January 27 primaries of the party to sheath their swords and work with the in-coming administration in the onerous task of developing the state.

“I congratulate the judiciary for living up to expectation as the last hope of the common man. I also appreciate my brother, Engr Kayode Ojo for approaching the court for the determination of the matter, instead of resorting to self -help.

“Now that the Court has ruled and affirmed my candidacy, I urge my brother, Engr Ojo and all others who might have issues with the outcome of the January 27 primaries of our party to join hands with us in the task of building a more prosperous Ekiti State.”, he added.

Raheem Akingbolu 

Media Assistant

EKSG Distributes Agro Chemicals To Cocoa Farmers To Aid Cultivation.

EKSG Distributes Agro Chemicals To Cocoa Farmers To Aid Cultivation.

...the gesture was to tackle and control pests and diseases that are capable of reducing the quality and quantity of cocoa production in the State, Prince Olabode Adetoyi.

 

Ekiti State government has reiterated its commitment to sustain its intervention and engagement with cocoa farmers in a bid to reposition the state as a leading cocoa producing State in the country.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Olabode Adetoyi stated in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday during the distribution of agro chemicals to cocoa farmers in the state.

Prince Adetoyi explained that the gesture was to tackle and control pests and diseases that are capable of reducing the quality and quantity of cocoa produce in the State. He added that the distribution of the agro chemical to cocoa farmers was to demonstrate how much importance the state government attached to cocoa production and food security in the State.

The Commissioner explained that the State government was also passionate about strengthening its partnership with private investors in driving the production of coca in the State This, he said, informed the allocation of lands to three private investors for the cultivation of more than 10,000 hectares of cocoa in the State. He added that the private investors had also agreed to train local cocoa farmers in the state.

He commended Governor Fayemi for approving the replacement of aging cocoa trees which resulted in the production of more than 200,000 seedlings of high improved varieties of cocoa, 55,000 of cashew seedling and 10,000 of oil palm to drop tree cropping in the State.

“Thanks to Governor Fayemi who in 2020 approved changing of aging cocoa trees which made the Ministry of Agriculture to collaborate with the Cocoa Research Institute in the production of more than 200,000 seedlings of high improved varieties of cocoa, 55,000 of cashew and of course 10,000 of oil palm.

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“All these seedlings, with approval of Mr Governor, were to be distributed at no charge to all the farmers and presently the ministry has subsidized new improved hybrid for cocoa and that is why we have to make the farm input and agro chemical available so that the plantation can be maintained.”

He assured the farmers that state legislature would ensure the formulation of strict laws against bush burning which had negative impact on cocoa plantation.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr Odesanmi Oluwagbenga explained that the agro chemicals being distributed was made up of 13,100 sachets of fungicides and 360 litres of insecticide as a pilot test to ascertain how they are going to put it to use.

Also the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, (AFAN) Ekiti State Chapter, Mr Alagbada Adeniran commended the State government for the support adding that it would go a long way in ameliorating the challenges of cocoa farmers in combating pest and cocoa related diseases.