The Executive Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, in conjunction with the Ogun State Government, representing by Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Bolu Owotomo in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has officially handed over 44 hectares of developed farmland to landless youths and women under the Sustainable Land Development for Landless Youths and Women Initiative of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ-IFAD) Programme.
The symbolic handover ceremony, held on Thursday at Ibido-Ogbo in Odogbolu Local Government Area, was performed by Hon. (Dr.) Babatunde Oyetola Diya alongside the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo. The initiative underscores the Ogun State Government’s commitment to promoting commercial agriculture, creating employment opportunities, improving food security, and empowering rural communities.
The event commenced with a courtesy visit to the Oba-Elect of Ibido-Ogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Temitope Oyekunle Oyenuga, Olufemiloye I, Mogoosu of Ibido-Ogbo, where Hon. Diya sought the monarch’s blessings for the successful implementation of the initiative. He described agriculture as the cornerstone of sustainable economic growth and rural prosperity, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to mechanised farming, agribusiness development, youth empowerment, and food security.
Addressing participants, Hon. Diya expressed appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for prioritising agriculture under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He also commended the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, CON, for his visionary leadership and sustained investment in agriculture, which continue to position Ogun State as a leading destination for agribusiness and food production.
The Chairman further lauded the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, for ensuring that Odogbolu Local Government benefited from the SAPZ Programme, noting that the intervention would expand agricultural production, stimulate agribusiness investments, create employment, and improve the livelihoods of rural farmers.
Speaking on the technical implementation of the project, He first appreciated the Federal Government, the State Agricultural Processing Engineer, Engr. Oluwatoyin B. Odejobi, appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun, Commissioner Bolu Owotomo, and Hon. Diya for their unwavering support towards the successful execution of the project. He encouraged beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by cultivating their allocated plots responsibly, adopting improved agronomic practices, maintaining soil fertility, and implementing effective weed, pest, and disease management to achieve optimal yields and sustainable incomes.
In their goodwill messages, the Oba-Elect of Ibido-Ogbo and the Member representing Odogbolu State Constituency, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, commended the State Government for the intervention, describing it as a significant step towards increasing food production, creating wealth, and improving rural livelihoods. They appealed for improved access roads to farming communities to facilitate the movement of farm inputs and harvested produce while acknowledging the Governor’s ongoing infrastructural projects across the Local Government.
Also speaking, the Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Afuwape Fakoya, appreciated the Governor, the Commissioner, and the Executive Chairman for repositioning agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth in Odogbolu, assuring residents that more developmental projects would soon be delivered.
Former Chairmen of Odogbolu Local Government—Hon. Shittu Olawale, Hon. Obafemi Onakoya, and Alhaji Idris Lawal—also commended Hon. Diya’s leadership, describing his administration as one committed to inclusive governance, agricultural revitalisation, and sustainable community development.
Delivering his keynote address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, disclosed that 279 hectares of farmland had been developed across six locations under the first phase of the programme. He explained that Ibido-Ogbo received 44 hectares of fully cleared and mechanically prepared farmland for 44 beneficiaries, while Imodi received 10 hectares. Other beneficiary communities include Tata and Eguaa in Yewa North Local Government Area, as well as Agodo and Amu in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
The Commissioner further revealed that beneficiaries would receive improved planting materials, herbicides, insecticides, and other agricultural inputs in the form of a matching grant to support successful cultivation.
Performing the symbolic handover, Hon. Owotomo stressed that the allocated farmlands remain government property and are strictly non-transferable. He warned beneficiaries against selling, leasing, or reallocating their plots, urging them instead to utilise the opportunity to improve their livelihoods while contributing to Ogun State’s food security agenda. Responding to concerns over poor access roads to the farm settlement, he assured stakeholders that the matter would be brought to the attention of Governor Dapo Abiodun for necessary intervention.
The Commissioner also appreciated the SAPZ-IFAD Programme, development partners, consultants, contractors, host communities, and other stakeholders whose collaboration ensured the successful delivery of the project.
The Acting State Programme Coordinator of SAPZ, Mr. Ibrahim Busi, commended Hon. Diya for providing an enabling environment for the smooth implementation of the programme and thanked the people of Ibido-Ogbo for their cooperation and support throughout the execution of the project.
The event was attended by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo; the Member representing Odogbolu State Constituency, Hon. Lukman Adeleye; Barr. Dapo Oduwole, General Manager, Public-Private Partnership, Ogun State; the Coordinating Director, representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Jolaoso Taiwo; the Acting State Programme Coordinator for SAPZ, Mr. Ibrahim Busi; the State Agricultural Processing Engineer for SAPZ, Engr. Oluwatoyin B. Odejobi; the Vice Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Hon. (Princess) Victoria Olusola; the Secretary to the Local Government, Deacon Stanley Olunogun; the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Adesoye Akeem Tunde; General Manager Public-Private Partnership ODLG, Prince Adeleke Adebajo, Akogun Muyiwa Idowu, APC Odogbolu Party Chairman, Alhaji Abayomi Salisu , Alhaja Allimot Brown, High Chief Balogun Abiodun Fatai, Baale Isanya ogbo. councillors, supervisors, special advisers, traditional rulers, former local government chairmen, community leaders, party leaders, farmers’ associations, women and youth groups, religious leaders, senior government officials, and other distinguished stakeholders from within and outside Ogun State.
Comrade Otudero Seyi Oluwaseun
Chief Press Secretary
Office of the Executive Chairman
Odogbolu Local Government.
