US University Unveils Osun Agri-business Investment Plan

-As Oyedokun Urges Nigerian Youths To Embrace Discipline, Integrity, Hard Work,

A United States-based university has unveiled plans to invest in Osun State’s agri-business sector, proposing a tractor assembly plant, export-driven agricultural value chains and capacity-building programmes aimed at transforming the state’s economy.

The announcement was made on Thursday in Osogbo by the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Sustainable Development, World Bridge University, Florida, Olusegun Emmanuel Babalola, during activities marking the 91st birthday and public presentation of the memoir of elder statesman and former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Shuaib Afolabi Oyedokun.

Representing the university’s Chancellor, Olanrewaju Abraham, Babalola said the institution was seeking to bridge the knowledge gap between farming and agri-business before introducing investments capable of creating jobs and boosting exports.

“We are bringing investment in the area of agri-business, not agriculture. We need to make the distinction between agriculture and agri-business. Osun State is primarily known as an agrarian state where a lot of people farm, but that is where it stops.

“There is a dearth of knowledge when it comes to the business side of agriculture, and that is what we are trying to bridge. We want to bridge the knowledge gap first before bringing investment into the sector,” he said.

Babalola explained that the initiative was inspired by Oyedokun’s passion for the development of agriculture and the welfare of the people of Osun State.

According to him, the nonagenarian would help connect the institution with relevant stakeholders in the state to facilitate the proposed investment.

“He has always been passionate about what can be done to help his people. We decided to honour him by bringing this investment and, through him, enter Osun State. He knows the people we need to engage, and we believe he will connect us with the right stakeholders,” he added.

The professor disclosed that the university intends to establish a tractor assembly plant in Osun, train farmers on producing export-quality sweet potatoes and develop mushroom cultivation as a commercial enterprise.
them in Osun would reduce costs and improve mechanised farming.

On sweet potato production, Babalola said farmers would receive training on preservation and export standards to enable the crop to compete in international markets.

He also identified mushroom cultivation as another untapped opportunity,

noting that the global mushroom market is worth more than 60 billion dollars.

“If Osun State knows how to do it well and we are able to capture just five per cent of that market, then we are made,” he said.

Addressing concerns about insecurity, Babalola said the challenge should not discourage investment.

“We believe insecurity will not continue forever. If we fold our hands until insecurity is over, hunger will kill us. If necessary, we will begin by establishing processing facilities within city centres while waiting for peace to return fully to rural communities,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Oyedokun urged Nigerian youths to embrace discipline, integrity and hard work, saying they are essential ingredients for a meaningful and long life.

The former Oyo SSG lamented what he described as declining moral values among many young people, urging them to avoid shortcuts to success and remain committed to positive values.

“Some people will say, ‘I want to live as Shuaib Oyedokun, but they don’t know what Shuaib Oyedokun has gone through. Just have your own plan and follow it. Don’t copy anybody. Obey the rules of your Creator,” he said.

He also encouraged youths to seek motorship from people of proven character and integrity.

Youths should live as human beings. Younger ones are becoming wayward. They don’t obey their parents or guardians. They don’t follow religious teachings. They don’t learn any trade. They just stumble into society and live like that.

“They have to learn and be mentees to people who have integrity and live a noble life,” Oyedokun added.

In his remarks, former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola described Oyedokun as his political mentor, recalling that the elder statesman introduced him to the People’s Democratic Party in 2001.

“Baba Oyedokun happens to be my mentor. He was the one who welcomed me into the PDP in 2001. He is a shining example of an experienced politician who consistently pursues the welfare and development of his people,” Oyinlola said.

The event attracted political leaders, academics, traditional rulers and community leaders, including the Osun governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and former Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, Olu Aina.