How Aregbesola made 100 millionaires through Agric programme, Says FG consultant

… I have laid developmental plan of Osun’s next 50 years in 6 years.

A leading Nigerian agriculture investor and Chairman TUNS Farms Nigeria Limited, ‎Chief Olatunde Badmus, has disclosed that the government of Osun State has created young millionaires through its various agricultural intervention programmes.

Badmus, who led other management staff of the company to the office of the governor in Osogbo for a presentation to the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on the National Egg Production (NEGSPRO) scheme, stated that due to the successes his company had achieved in the state through the Osun Broiler Outgrowers Production Scheme (OBOPS) an initiative of Aregbesola, TUNS farm had been empowered and engaged to handle a Federal Government project tagged National Egg Production Scheme (NEGPRO).

He said Osun had made over 100 millionaires in the last six years through the Osun Broiler Outgrowers Production Scheme in the state.‎

Badmus emphasised that the state had taken the lead in broiler meat production in the country as Osun, he said, remained the largest producer of chicken in Nigeria.

He attributed the agricultural initiatives of Aregbesola as major instruments that had contributed significantly towards the resuscitation of the agricultural sector in the state and Nigeria as a whole.‎

The business mogul said the universal agricultural model technique being adopted by the state had been the major factor behind the successes made in the broiler and egg production in the state, making Osun  the third largest producer of broiler meats after Oyo and Ogun states in Nigeria.

He also lauded the state government for being at the forefront of socio-economic and agricultural developments in the country, noting that the agricultural policies of the state had brought about huge participation of youth in farming activities.

Badmus gave an insight into the successes recorded by the state in the agricultural sector, saying efforts are underway to maximise the agricultural potentials of the state and make Osun the highest producer of eggs in the country.

According to him, “We are here today to tell the world that the agricultural policy of Mr. Governor has yielded positive results. Over 100 millonaires have been made so far since the state introduced Osun Broiler Outgrowers Production Scheme which has been the hallmark of major successes recorded in poultry production in the state.”

Responding, Governor Rauf Aregbesola reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring all round development in the state in spite of the global economic downturn.

He said his government would not renege on any of its electioneering promises made to the people of the state at ensuring that Osun became a model in all aspects of the economy.

Aregbesola said the state had recorded huge successes in all its programmes in the last six years most especially in the education, security and agricultural sectors as most of the state’s policies were designed to enhance both human and capital developments.

He held that his government having adopted value-chain policies in all sectors, had achieved tremendous change in the areas of education, agriculture, security and social intervention and empowerment programmes.

The governor said the initiation of Osun School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL) which had been the pacesetter and a national school feeding model, had since introduction created employment opportunities for thousands of the state residents.

He stated that the O’MEAL Scheme had a positive influence on agriculture as pupils who were the direct beneficiaries of the initiative were being fed with locally sourced farm produce like yam, coco yam, fruits, vegetables, egg, fish, chicken among others.

Aregbesola said the scheme also provided employment to thousands of able women who were engaged by the state as food vendors.‎

He put up agriculture as the only sustainable and profitable alternative to crude oil, saying no efforts must be spared at revamping the agriculture in the country.
“With 2013 adverse experience on crude oil, one must surely know that the era of crude oil has gone. Oil can no longer sustain us. It can no longer viable for our survival as a nation.

“Oil is volatile. We must go back to drawing board and map out people-oriented strategies that will support agriculture and make life more abundant, meaningful and worthwhile for ourselves.

“Agriculture is the only dependable, sustainable and productive sector that can rescue our dear country out of recession.

“We must be aggressive in agricultural production and no stone must be left unturned to achieve all these laudable feats because productivity is the heart of the economy,” the governor stressed.‎

… I have laid developmental plan of Osun’s next 50 years in 6 years.

On a separate occasion, Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday said he had laid the foundation for the state’s next 50 years in just six years.

‎The Governor who was the Guest Lecturer at City People Magazine’s 20th Special Anniversary Lecture, Titled:  My Experience as Governor in the Past 6years, stressed stated that he has no doubt that the seed he has sown will yield bountiful harvest for individuals and the state in the foreseeable future.

Aregbesola noted that the historical mission of his administration is to liberate the masses from the clutches and stranglehold of the few, by empowering them majorly through education, health and minimum resources needed for survival, thereby freeing their creative ability.

He said the mission of his administration had been to free those who were bound and make them run on their own, without holding down those who were strong enough to also run on their own.

He added that through this the talents and creativity of both the strong and the weak would be let loose and there would be wealth creation and life more abundant for all.

He said “My unmistakable historical mission therefore is to liberate the masses from the clutches and stranglehold of the few, by empowering them majorly through education, health and minimum resources needed for survival, thereby freeing their creative ability. I am not a starry-eyed communist.

“My mission has been to free those who are bound and make them to run on their own, without holding down those who are strong enough to also run on their own.

“In this way, the talents and creativity of both the strong and the weak will be let loose and there will be wealth creation and life more abundant for all,” he said.

Aregbesola recalled how he gathered his political wisdom and will by studying and working closely with great political figures such as the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and a host of others.
He also recounted how he began building his political and administrative skills right from his days as a student unionist in school and as well when he was the Commissioner for Works in Lagos for eight years.

“I was privileged to have horned my political and administrative skills, beginning with my student unionism days, culminating in my serving for eight years as Commissioner for Works in Lagos State under my mentor and leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a progressive, visionary and people oriented administration that ushered in unprecedented prosperity and laid the foundation for the metastasizing of Lagos into the sixth largest economy in Africa.”

He described the people of the state as a wonderful set of people that have always showed great courage and steadfastness even in the midst of serious intimidation and economic hardship.

The Governor stressed that the infrastructural development around the state have always been the motivating factor of the people towards supporting the present administration in the state.

Accoding to him,”The people of Osun are very wonderful people. They are fiercely loyal and courageous people. When you earn their trust they stand with you without flinching.”

“They have also shown great understanding and cooperation in the face of the grimmest financial challenge we faced. The workers of the state government, in particular, deserve special commendation. They have demonstrated fidelity and sacrifice in our greatest time of need”.

“Our six point integral action plan of Banishing Poverty, Banishing Hunger, Banishing Unemployment, Restoring Healthy Living, Promoting Functional Education and Enhancing Communal Peace and Progress are designed to lift the condition of our people from poverty stricken to being wealthy”. He emphasised.
The governor said as part of his sacrifice for the state, he had collected no salary since becoming governor.