Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has assured that the state will soon reclaim its position in quality cocoa production in the country.
This was contained in a press release issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Mr. Richard Olatunde stating that the Governor declared the state readiness to work with relevant stakeholders for improved Cocoa production and a better economy.
The release stated that Governor Akeredolu spoke on Wednesday while playing host to the Ondo State Cocoa Council delegation led by the chairman, Dr. Olusegun Awolumate.
He said the time has come for the State to be recognised for what it is, just as he promised to work with the incoming administration of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to achieve the desired results.
Arakunrin Akeredolu also urged the team to continue to sensitize and educate cocoa farmers in the State on the need to be in tune with the current happenings and new hybrid cocoa seedlings so that they can enjoy the benefits.
Earlier, the chairman of the Ondo State Cocoa Council, Dr. Olusegun Awolumate, specifically appreciated Governor Akeredolu’s inauguration of the Council in 2021.
He said that the Cocoa sector has the desired potential to become the lifeline of the state’s economy, as it did in the sixties during the defunct Western Region of Nigeria.
The Chairman listed the achievements so far since inauguration, including regular partnership and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, both local and international cocoa development organizations and financial institutions.
Awolumate informed the Governor of plans to construct Sunshine Cocoa Tower in Akure.
He further promised continuous collaboration with critical stakeholders and implementation of necessary activities on the Ondo State Cocoa Bond Project while pursuing the proposed re-introduction of Regional Commodity Boards for strategic crops, including cocoa.
Also, in his presentation, Chief Executive Officer, Afex Commodities Exchange Limited, Engr. Ayodeji Balogun lauded the Governor for his wisdom in setting up Cocoa Board and also creating provisions for the development of Cocoa in Ondo State and continuing to establish the State as the foremost Cocoa producing and processing state in Nigeria.
While assuring the Governor of better partnership, the CEO said the company operates in 28 States and has close to 200 warehouses, working on ten commodities and serving 450,000 farmers in Nigeria.
According to him, the essence is to create a market to unlock prosperity for the farmers and ensure that they sell their commodities transparently and in a way that fosters the development of the farmers and the commodities at large.
