CITIZENS COMPASS–The Ogun State Government has countered the report by an online medium claiming that the rice project at Magboro in Obafemi Owode Local Government is not a state government initiative.
Recall that the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, recently launched the rice project which qualified the State as a rice-producing one.
Following the launch, a report by the online medium claimed that the private project is owned by Alhaji Bello Zabarmawa, a businessman from Kebbi State.
The State government in a statement signed by Mr Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy said, “The attention of the Ogun State Government has been drawn to a news story published by an online medium, PM News, claiming that the rice project launched by Governor Dapo Abiodun at Magboro in Obafemi Owode Local Government is not a state government initiative but rather a private project owned by Alhaji Bello Zabarmawa, a businessman from Kebbi State. “The report is not only biased and shrouded in half-truths but also falls short of a logical presentation of issues and portrays the newspaper as simply mischievous. The deliberate misrepresentation of Governor Abiodun’s speech on the day he visited the 200-hectare rice farm is the most ridiculous blunder a newspaper could have committed at this level of media advancement in democratic Nigeria. PM News’ report becomes even more ridiculous when the person it alleged made the statement it sensationally published categorically denied ever making such a statement.
“To be sure, we acknowledge private sector contributions to rice production in the state and appreciate efforts to support the local economy. However, we must correct the false claim that the State Government is claiming ownership of the 200-hectare farm. We affirm that the 200-hectare rice farm belongs to 200 farmers aggregated under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) and supported by the World Bank. The farm, known as Alubarika Rice Farm Cluster, like many others across the state, enjoys government support via OGSTEP, including training on best agricultural practices, discounted inputs, mechanization, and linkage to offtakers. The OGSTEP Agricultural Sector Intervention aims to stimulate economic growth and improve income for smallholder farmers in the state, with the rice project being one of the key commodities supported by the project. The project has provided critical support to farmers at discounted costs, including mechanization services, provision of quality seeds/stems, agrochemicals, fertilizers, technical training, and advisory services. Contrary to PM News’ jaundiced report, the Ogun State Government contributed 65 percent of the cost of production of the rice from planting to harvesting, while the clusters of farmers contributed 35 per cent. The Government tutored the farmers on the planting of the high-yield rice species, which it gave to them at subsidized rates; organized the farmers, and provided them with loans.
“As Nigerians are well aware, Governor Abiodun had, on Monday, August 19, flagged off the harvest of the 200-hectare rice farm, declaring that with the success of the first harvest, the project would be scaled up to 2,000 hectares. For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor declared on the occasion: “By supporting this initiative, we are not only enhancing rice production but also promoting modern mechanization services, covering everything from land preparation and mechanized planting of three-month rice to harvesting. “The OGSTEP Agricultural Sector intervention will provide critical support, including advanced agriculture techniques, access to quality seeds, modern irrigation systems, and technical training for our farmers… All these projects and many more are efforts of private individuals in the State that are being supported by the Ogun State Government to help in actualizing the government’s desire to provide food for its teeming populace.
“It is on record that an excited Governor Dapo Abiodun, a strong supporter of private initiatives in critical sectors of the State’s economy, declared during the ceremony that with the 200 hectares generating approximately N1bn within the space of three months, he would like to increase the allotted farmland to the farmers to 2,000 hectares to generate a total of N30bn. Throughout his speech, he praised the farmers and the initiator of the rice project and pledged support; he never claimed that the farm project belonged to the State. Indeed, Alhaji Zabarmawa, the initiator of the project, clearly acknowledged the excitement of the Governor about the project and the support the government had given him in all ramifications. Against this backdrop, one then wonders where the writer got the information that the state government is claiming ownership of the farm. It defies critical reasoning and common sense.
“As a matter of fact, the Ogun State Government under Prince Dapo Abiodun has given similar support to agribusiness in the State since the inception of his administration in 2019, in tandem with the philosophy of his ISEYA mantra, which places great premium on agriculture to guarantee food security. For instance, the Government, through OGSTEP, has supported the 50 hectares of groundnut farm at Ipokia with various farm inputs and implements, replicating the same for 75 hectares of rice cluster at Ayiwere.
“The Ogun State Government remains committed to enhancing food production and boosting economic growth through OGSTEP and other agencies. Our interventions have already benefited over 30,000 farmers, aggregated into groups and clusters, with 13,000 male farmers, 9,000 female farmers, and 8,000 youth farmers participating in crop, aquaculture, and poultry production. The 200-hectare farm in Magboro is a testament to the effectiveness of this laudable OGSTEP programme, hence the governor’s decision to personally flag off the rice harvesting process.
“The State Government has equally facilitated and supported other farm clusters across the state, and they are doing well in developing food security. Other interventions include the 75 hectares Ayiwere rice cluster, Kopape, 82 hectares Omoluabi Farmers maize cluster, Iwoye, Imeko Local Government, 50 hectares groundnut farm, Ipokia, 180 hectares Isokan Lagba cassava cluster, Owode, Obafemi-Owode LGA, and Ifesowapo Group maize cluster and Ibukunoluwa group maize cluster in Idekan, Ijebu North Local Government. If the state government, with OGSTEP, has done all of these projects without laying claims to ownership, it would be preposterous and mischievous for anyone to allege that the government has claimed ownership of the Magboro rice farm.
“To us, this report by PM News was prompted by idleness or instigation by political buccaneers and enemies of the Government envious of the monumental achievements of the Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State. We hereby enjoin PM News to desist from this type of jaundiced report to save the newspaper from losing the last vestige of its integrity and dignity.”
