Kunle Adelabu
-Distributes another set of farm implements
Dr Saheed Ibikunle, Special Adviser on Constituency Matters to Senator Tokunbo Abiru, the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has said that the plans of the two – term Senator in his sustained distribution of farm implements to farmers is to support the agenda of President Bola Tinubu in ensuring sustainable food security.
Dr Ibikunle made this declaration while representing the Senator at the fifth series in the distribution of farm implements – 500 bags of NPK 20 -10 – 10 (fertilisers), 3 land tiller machines, 200 pieces of back sprayers, 240 liquid bio – stimulants (to be used before growth) and 398 bio – stimulants (to be used after growth), to farmers across Lagos East.
According to the #DoingGood Team of the Senator, the three land tillers are to be managed by the #DoingGood Agricultural Multipurpose Societies in Epe, Kosofe and Ikorodu axis, which Senator Abiru helped in bringing to establishment and fruition.
Unlike before, the distributions were done according to the five local governments and 11 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the senatorial district, to encourage harmonious relationship and cooperation among the farmers.
“I welcome you to another distribution of farm implements facilitated by our Distinguished Senator, Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, who is representing the Lagos East Senatorial District. A Senator that would not leave any part of his Lagos East District out of any project.
“If you talk about anything to him, he would tell you that if it doesn’t go round the entire Lagos East, it is not doable.
“That is why today I am confident that all of us that present at this event are all from various local governments – Bariga, Shomolu, Kosofe, Ikosi, Agboyi – Ketu, Ikorodu, Ikorodu West, Ikorodu North, Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede, Imota, Ikosi – Ejinrin, Eredo, Epe, Lekki and Ibeju – Lekki. That is five LGAs and 11 LCDAs,” Dr Ibikunle elaborated.
“The SA to the Lagos East Senator furthered in his address to the beneficiaries, “Whatever we do, these 16 must be beneficiaries. We do not leave anyone untouched. That is why whenever you are thinking about a Senator, you think about Senator Abiru. He believes in equity, greater growth of the largest number and not only for sectional people. That is why today, beneficiaries cut across these councils.
“This distribution is the fifth in the series of our gathering here. We distribute fertilisers and other farm implements.
“The intention, of course, is to support farmers and ensure that productivity in our farming activities and enterprises improves. It is also to economically contribute to growth and sufficiency in terms of food security”, he said.
While commending the farmers for their resilience and support so far, the representative of the Senator stated that the support is to make them have good reasons to stay in the farm and make foods available in surplus thereby contributing to economic growth.
“We want to thank you farmers for your resilience; for your support thus far, in the face of this tough economic situation. This makes our president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to be so concerned and come up with a lot of initiatives. ‘Won ni ti ounje ba a ku ro ninu ise, ise bu se’ (It is said that once hunger is taken care with availability of foods, many things are resolved).
“That is why it is clear to us the only thing that can cushion the effects of the current situation on people is the availability of foods and that is why you are seeing one palliative or the other, but we cannot continue to share foods without considering the source and those that are producing these foods.
“They are our esteemed and hardworking farmers and the President thought and deemed it fit to give support in all ramifications to ensure that we improve the yields and productivity in our farms.
“It is in tandem with this that the Distinguished Senator is also making it a priority to support the agenda of Mr. President at all time.
“If the farmers are busy at their farms doing well, there will be enough foods to eat and life will be a lot easier for the people. Senator Abiru has decided that one of his priorities is to support Mr. President’s agenda in the area of support for farmers and that is why you will see us calling you from time – to – time,” Dr Ibikunle emphasized.
While revealing that Senator Abiru still has other programmes to further support them, Dr. Ibikunle also charged them on the need to make good and productive use of the implements given to them.
“I am appealing that those things that are going to be given to you are meant for growth in your farm and growth in your family, because if you are doing well, definitely, it would touch on your life and that of the family.
“Also, for the growth in the economy because in one way or the other, your activities will increase the GDP and other indices of economic developments in our various communities as a whole, in Lagos State and in Nigeria.
“We want you to make the best use of this and let us be sincere with it. The formidability of your association is also important to us. We want you to come together, wax stronger and make the best use of those agricultural inputs that are being given out to you,” he said.
Dr Ibikunle stated that the reforms embarked upon by the administration of President Bola Tinubu would soon begin to manifest positively, and called on the farmers to give continuous support to the administration of Mr. President and the Senator.
Otunba Oke, Chairman, Lagos State Farmers Association expressed the gratitude of his members to the Senator for the support with farm implements.
“This is our day. We were gathered here to receive farm implements four times last year and we are starting 2025 with a good development courtesy of our Senator. We hope that this will continue throughout the year.
“We are grateful for the support from Senator Abiru and wish him greater height in his political endeavour.
“As farmers, we are appreciative of his gesture and support at all time and we shall continue to appreciate and support him.”
He stated that parts of measures to show their appreciations and prove that they have made good use of the support thus far, is that they plan to organise a market where their produce will be sold at farmgate prices:
“On behalf of farmers in the state, we want to use this opportunity to thank him for all what he has been doing for us in Lagos East and we are assuring him that we will continue to make good use of those inputs.”
A researcher with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Mr. Aritu Ademola, who spoke on several researches being conducted on some crops, advised farmers on proper application of fertilisers and other farm implements given to them.
While also calling for good use of the support, the researcher said that the best way that they could show appreciation to the Senator is to be productive and have enough yields for the populace.
He also called for support for President Tinubu whom he said is doing a lot to ensure that farming is improved upon in the country and Senator Abiru who is helping him in implementing his policies.
Others at the distribution were Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani, Divisional Chairman, APC Ikorodu LGA, Hon. Toyin Gbadamosi, Chairman, APC Epe Division, Hon. (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi, educationist and community developer, Alhaji Sulaimon Ola4, an APC stalwart, and Hon. Folashade Olabanji – Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Central LG.
