Neglect of cocoa for oil, cause of vulnerable economy, says Yoruba group

The trickled-down Nigeria economy has been linked to the federal governments total neglect of cocoa farmers and production for crude oil.

Oginni Olaposi, National president, Yoruba Elite in Politics (YEP) while making this known on Thursday in a press briefing and launching of COCOA REVOLUTION PROJECT held at Iwe Iroyin Abeokuta Ogun state, urged president Bola Tinubu to declare State of Emergency on Agriculture. 

He stressed that the project’s goal was to  mobilise 20,000 young farmers to return to their farms within the next one year and bring back the glory of the old western region’s cocoa production within three years .

His words: “ To get Nigeria out of the present economic quagmire, The Yoruba Elite in Politics (YEP) is Recognizing the fact that The National Economic Recovery is a collective responsibility of the Government at all levels and the entire Citizenry, The YORUBA ELITE IN POLITICS (YEP) is here today with readiness and determination to compliment the efforts of Government at all levels in this regard through ” Cocoa Revolution”

“ Realizing the fact that Papa Obafemi Awolowo was able to run successful and prosperous Government of the Old Western Region from Cocoa Produce. It’s now the time for us as a Nation to look back and copy from the economic wizardry of Chief Obafemi Awolowo by making sure that the Southwestern Nigeria get back to Cocoa Production as a matter of urgency.

“ It’s obvious that the total neglect of Cocoa Farmers and Production due to the discovery of oil made Nigeria Economy vulnerable. In the same Vein, the free fall of the Naira as it is today, is also the resultant effect of dwindling exportation.

“ To get Nigeria out of the present economic quagmire, The Yoruba Elite in Politics (YEP) is  calling on The President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju BOLA AHMED TINUBU to declare State of Emergency on Agriculture. 

“The human and natural resources of Nigeria must be fully utilized for optimum production in the area of Agriculture for speedy economic Recovery.

“ On this note, The YORUBA ELITE IN POLITICS (YEP) is calling on The Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture on the successful implementation of COCOA REVOLUTION PROJECT .

“ The  Cocoa Revolution Project is set to mobilize 20,000 Young Cocoa Farmers back to farm within the next one year. It’s a plan to have 20,000 Cocoa Plantations across the southwest State of Nigeria within a year.  Our projection is to restore back the lost Glory of the Old Western Region on COCOA Production within the next 3 years.

While calling on the Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture on the successful implementation of COCOA REVOLUTION PROJECT, he appealed to the Red and Green Chambers to enact measures that will stimulate agricultural output and export as soon as possible.

“ It’s evidently clear that the success of this initiative required greater support from The Southwest Governors. We are using this medium to call on all the Governors of Southwest Nigeria to give this project every needed support. The moribonds farm settlements are suggested to be converted to ” COCOA REVOLUTION Villages” with facilities that will encourage Young Cocoa Farmers to stay focused on the project.

“ In the same Vein, we are also calling on our Legislators at the Red and Green Chambers to as a matter of urgency initiate and enact laws that will promote Agricultural production and Export. All Legislators at the National and State Assemblies are hereby enjoin to encourage Agriculture in their various constituencies.

Meanwhile, the association pledged to fully engage political office holders accountable most especially on their contributions to Agricultural production and Development .