Christian Group Commends Aregbesola, Wants More Intervention for Agricultural Development

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his various agricultural programmes aimed at promoting agriculture and ensuring food security in the State of Osun.

CCN, while appreciating the governor’s programme, called for more intervention in agriculture and implementation of the Maputo declaration that directs governments to allocate 10 per cent of annual budget to agriculture.

The CNN made the call at an advocacy visit to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youths Engagement in the state, noting that there was need for policy changes that will ensure the right and access to food for both the rich and the poor in Nigeria.

The team was received by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. I.O Aluko and other top officers of the ministry.

Explaining the rationale behind the visit, CCN General Secretary, Dr Yusuf Wushishi, stated that the group wanted to discuss issues relating to food securities, the level of malnutrition and hunger in the state.

Wushishi who was represented by Venerable Paul Farotimi, stated that the group was ready to partner the state government on agricultural matter.

The CNN submitted a letter to the permanent secretary for onward delivery to Governor Aregbesola.

In the letter, the group called on the state government to revive and provide more farm settlements, continue to subsidize poultry feeds, fertilizers and equipments, as well as conducting periodic training for the farmers.

Responding, Aluko the PS, commended members of the CCN for identifying with and supporting the of the government on the promotion of agriculture, describing the visit as remarkable and complimentary.

Aluko informed the CCN members of the Aregbesola administration’s intervention programmes on agriculture like the Osun Rural Enterprise ad Agricultural Programme (OREAP), Quick Impact Intervention Programme (QUIIP) that has enhanced farming and food security in the state.

The PS stated that the state government has revived some farm settlements and currently reviving some, adding that a 200 hectres of land has been allocated to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for the establishment of a research institute like that of Ibadan.

According to the PS, Aregbesola’s administration has created wealth through agriculture, noting that the state government has recorded success on its agricultural intervention programmes.

He charged the CNN to be active on its partnership with the state government, nothing that so many other Non-Governmental Organisation had come in partnership with government without no tangible outcome.