The Hall of the ministry of Women affairs in Akure the state Capital of Ondo State was full to the brim on Tuesday 14th of May, 2025 as the State Agricultural commodities inaugurates new executives who will pilot the affairs of the agency from 2024 to 2027.
OSACA is an integrated agency for all agricultural commodities raging from rubber producers, National Tomatoes farmers, pig farmers, cassava farmers, rice farmers, maize farmers, coconut farmers and etcetera in the state.
In his address the outgoing chairman of the Association, Mr Olugbenga Obaweya expressed gratitude to God Almighty for the successful completion of his tenure as the chairman of the Agency.
He reflected that, the twenty six association under the agency are growing we and that The commodity association has hosted three different program for agricultural trades fair, training, seminars and field trips have been organized for various commodities for better growth of Agriculture in the state.
The outgoing chairman also commended the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa especially for his contributions towards agricultural development in Ondo state since the inception of Administration.
The representative of SMEDAN, Prince Tobi in his goodwill address retirated on the need for state government to help in fast tracking Federal government assistant program to farmers in Ondo state, for effective agricultural impacts the state.
The representative of Cocoa council in Ondo state, Dr Segun Awolumate, in his short address noted that cocoa was the mainstay of the old Western Region, reflecting on the needs for teaming youth o go back into agriculture because almost all his education was fund by Cocoa and agriculture by extension.
In his welcome and acceptance speech, the new chairman of OSACA, high Chief Abiodun Adejo appreciates his predecessor, and stated rhe he his very pleased to stand before the congregation this day as the new Chairman of the umbrella body of all agricultural commodity associations and farmers in Ondo State-OSACA.
According to him, I feel and believe that this is a call to duty. The task ahead of the new Executives is enormous and it needs all hands to be on the plough for the association to move forward.
I thank our predecessors for laying a good foundation for us and the Agric Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture that oversees our activities for the great partnership that we enjoy.
At this point I wish to congratulate all other members of the new Executives who have accepted to serve in this new dispensation.
I would want us to know that this is the time that we have decided to give back to the people that elected us to these prestigious positions.
The government is looking up to us to coordinate and mobilise farmers and Agropreneurs to transform the agricultural sector of the State to increase production, lower the current high pricing of agricultural products and to leverage on the use of technology to boost production.
We must position our association to be actively involved in formulation of government policies to boost agriculture and food security.
In order to position the association, we shall operate an open door and all-inclusive administration. A new Board of Trustees, comprising practitioners with wealth of experience and sincere interest to develop agriculture in the State, is being constituted. Their duties are to advise the Executives and support them with their wealth of experience andresources. We shall be open to technocrats both within and outside government and also embrace the use of business-oriented technology to seek and obtain funds and input for our teeming farmers to boost food production in the State.
We will not shy away from pointing out the areas where we will be needing Government interventions to assist food sufficiency.
We know we need extension services, rural roads maintenance, proper product preservation, and ready markets.
We are aware of the interest of this present Government in sincerely developing agriculture and seeing to the plight of indigenous farmers in the State.
One of the steps taken in the recent time is the setting up of the Agric/Food Security Committee in the State. We shall work with the Committee to achieve the expected results. We salute Mr. Governor and his team for this.
We are aware of the proliferation of farmers associations in the State. One of our key duties as clearly stated by Government, when OSACA was midwifed by the Mimiko Administration, is to bring every association under one umbrella without rancour or intimidation. We intend to do this by showing potentials and positive results that will be attractive to them.
OSACA’s structure is Commodity Association based and the spread of the various associations throughout the length and breadth of the state form the backbone of OSACA state wide. We will by God’s grace strengthen these structures.
Let me state here that the Chairmen of all the Commodity Associations shall be part and parcel of our administration. We must work together to achieve the needed success for our teeming farmers and the great OSACA family.
As much as possible, we shall operate as an independent NGO while acknowledging the need for a very strong business arm that needs to be strengthened.
I need to thank the Government of Ondo State, Nigeria who in her wisdom, realising the fact that the State needed a unified front for the farmers to access needed government and foreign assistance created OSACA, You can now see why our unity is necessary for us to stand up as a strong force for the farmers who are indeed in the majority in the population of Ondo State.
Kindly note that any of you could here visible and to serve in any of the we need to be filled to make our work more visible and effective.
Our secretariat will be strengthened for proper documentation and communication Your ideas, comments and advice will be welcome to assist the Executives ts we better for the interest of us all.
I wish to thank all of you here present and wish you journey mercies back to your different locations when you will be returning, the new Chairman said.
In his address, representing the Governor of Ondo state, Chief Olaide Adelami, the Deputy Governor of Ondo state, described farming as what no man or any Government should wish away, relating to the creature of man, stating that as major reason why the Government of Ondo state will continue to prioritize agriculture.
He stated that the role of farmers in Every Nation is huge and immeasurable, he however saluted the effort and contributions of farmers to the development of Agriculture in Ondo state.
The therefore, commended the outgoing exco for the impacts made, he also assures the new exco of full Government supports, he also reveals several interventions of Government for agricultural development in Ondo state, such rural road construction, discharge of farm imputs to farmers, and security of famers and their properties.
The Deputy Governor however, requested for maximum cooperation from the new executive of OSACA for proper and prompt development in the areas of Agriculture in the state.
In his closing remarks, the secretary of OSACA, expressed optimism in the new executives and also commended the Deputy Governor for his presence at the event, expressing full confidence in the new executives in turning things around positively for the State.
In attendance at the inauguration ceremony includes: the Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Chief Olaide Adelami,
Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, Commissioner for women affairs, Hon Wake Akinlosotu, the commissioner for information, Hon Gbenga Chairman OSACA, Mr Bolarinwa Adetula chairman board of trustee, Dr Segun Awolumate, chairman cocoa council, Mr Rotimi Wemimo, Chairman food commodities, Mr Olu Ajanaku, Bar. Bola Olafunmiloye, Mr Fela Olorunmodimu, Chief Abiodun Adejo,
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