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ODSG ATTRACTS MULTI-BILLION ‑NAIRA AGRICULTURAL CITY TO OSE, AS COMMISSIONER SAYS STATE READY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT
The Ondo State Government has attracted a multi‑million‑naira agricultural city to Iju‑Agbonrin/Ori‑Ohin in Ose Local Government Area through the FRILIA initiative, aimed at supporting agricultural development.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, expressed the state’s readiness to provide support and enabling environment for agriculture to thrive, ensuring that investors’ funds are not wasted. He made the statement while signing a land‑lease contract as a witness on behalf of the Ondo State Government between community landowners and KONIG Agriculture Ltd., a subsidiary of MOJEC International Holdings, which is investing in the agricultural city.
According to a statement signed by the Information Officer in the ministry, Sola Omoboyowa, Engr. Akinola said the initiative is expected to boost agricultural development and economic growth in the state, adding that the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, will continue to welcome and partner with any reliable investor in the agricultural sector. He noted that unemployment and insecurity in the area would be dramatically reduced because the company would employ people from the community.
He thanked the Governor for signing the letter that allows the project to commence and announced that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry would stand as guarantor for the land, families and owners, as requested by the company. Engr. Akinola also thanked his predecessor, High Chief Olayato Aribo, who started the project, saying he inherited the file, asked questions about it, and presented it to the Governor, who graciously approved after being properly briefed.
The Commissioner added that the Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa administration is prioritising the agricultural sector to achieve sufficient food production and security. He said the Northern Senatorial District of the state will witness an unprecedented agricultural revolution through aggressive development, noting that the moribund Akunnu cattle ranch built by the Western Region would be revived and put to use, as investors have arrived and everything is set to resuscitate the ranch.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, ( Agric sector), Mrs Foluke Tunde‑Daramola, who also signed as a witness on behalf of the state, thanked the Governor for his support in ensuring the project becomes a reality. She appealed to community leaders to encourage their youth and women to be ready to work, stressing that the project will provide employment and eliminate joblessness.
The Chairman of Ose Local Government, Hon. Kolapo Ojo, appreciated Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for approving the project’s location in Ose. He noted that the Governor could have relocated it to Ilaje or another local government but chose to keep it in Ose. He added that Ose ranks 17th in revenue generation in the state and highlighted the Governor’s passion for development, including the provision of nine vehicles to traditional rulers, which would not have been possible without the Governor’s support. The Chairman thanked the Commissioner for securing the project’s location and vowed to support it, assuring adequate security for personnel and equipment at all times.
Mrs. Justina Arogundade, representing FRILIA (Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land‑intensive Agriculture), explained that FRILIA promotes sustainable and responsible large‑scale agricultural investment. She said the framework seeks a “win‑win” outcome through community consultation, environmental and social sustainability, and fair compensation, ensuring that investments benefit both private investors and local communities.
Mr. Oluwasegun Nurudden Saliu, project lead of KONIG Agriculture Ltd., lauded the state government for attracting the project and for its unwavering commitment to seeing it realised. He said 60 % of the workforce would be sourced from the community and that the company would add value through corporate social responsibilities (CSR) such as boreholes, solar power and a health facility on the farm, with services extended to the public.
Speaking on behalf of the landowners and the community who leased their land for the project, Mr. Monday Olomolehin expressed the community’s happiness at having the company in their town and pledged to do everything necessary to ensure its success. He thanked the state government for bringing the investment to Ose and prayed that all would benefit from the agricultural project sited there.
The event was witnessed by the State Action for Business Enabling Reform (SABER), of which FRILIA is one of the pillars. The State SABER focal person, Dr. Adeola Along, said the arrangement followed the tenets of SABER because the land was graciously released by the owners and the community was involved in every step taken.
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