Adeleke lauds FG’s livestock reforms, vows to make Osun Nigeria’s food basket

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government initiatives to boost the agricultural sector, particularly the livestock industry

Adeleke commended the Federal Government’s reforms, spearheaded by the recently established Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, describing them as timely and impactful.

In a press statement released on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to align with the Federal Government’s initiative.

He made this known during a visit by Professor Attahiru Jega, who leads the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, to his office in Osogbo.

Highlighting his administration’s ongoing agricultural reforms, Adeleke outlined measures aimed at positioning Osun as one of Nigeria’s leading food-producing states.

“My administration is fully committed to any Federal Government initiative that ensures food security and puts food on the tables of Nigerians,” he stated.

“For instance, we recently procured 31 tractors for farmers in the state to enhance food production. In addition, we provide seedlings and other incentives to farmers through a well-structured implementation framework driven by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.”

The Governor further emphasized Osun State’s agricultural potential, citing its arable lands and forests as resources capable of boosting food security and creating job opportunities. He also announced plans to establish a committee of agricultural experts to develop a roadmap for reforming the state’s livestock sector.

“I wholeheartedly support the Federal Government’s initiative to boost food production and will soon constitute a team to design a comprehensive template for livestock reforms in Osun,” Adeleke said.

Earlier, Professor Attahiru Jega, Co-Chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, shared the committee’s objectives with the Governor.

He encouraged Adeleke to consider establishing a dedicated Ministry of Livestock or a similar agency to facilitate the initiative’s success in the state.

Jega also urged the Governor to introduce supporting legislation through the Osun State House of Assembly to ensure the sustainability of the reforms, which aim to make livestock readily available nationwide.

Governor Adeleke assured Jega of his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government to transform the agricultural sector for the benefit of Osun and the entire country.