Oke Ero community in Kwara State celebrated her annual yam festival on Tuesday, 17, July, the Informant247 news has gathered.
The Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hon. Bamidele Adegoke who was present at the celebration described the event as a memorable one with colourful display of culture and tradition,
Hon. Bamidele urged people of the community in Okeero to imbibe peaceful coexistence among themselves, he elaborated on why they should come together in celebration of the annual festival.
Speaking further, he said federal government launched the Nigeria yam export program on June 29 2017 where 72 metric tons of yam was exported to Europe &US heralding a new dawn in Nigerias food export.Over 30% of the yams we produce in Nigeria rot away,with export we will earn foreign exchange and produce more yams,ghana does not grow up to one tenth of yam Nigeria grows and is targeting USD4bn in yam export per annum ,Nigeria can do better because according to the food and agriculture organization Nigeria accounts for 61% of yam production in the world he reiterated that there is no need to panic on local consumption because Nigeria has enough yams for its people to consume.There has never been shortage of yams in Nigeria.Kwara state is well positioned and focused on this opportunity to diversify and grow the economy and also support local farmers so as to improve and scale up production.
He thereafter empowered one hundred members of the Oke ero community financially cutting across all wards of the local government with a cash of #5,000 each.
Concluding his remark, the Agriculture Commissioner encouraged the community on the need to sustain the legacy of celebrating the annual festival so as to draw attention to her yam produce.
Reacting to this, One of the community spokesperson present appreciated the Commissioner and the state government for gracing this occasion and the state government supports for the Agriculture in the state. He stated that “Hon. Bamidele, has really shown leadership qualities. Despite the short notice and the tight schedule, he was able to attend the event, not only attend, also empowered people of okeero LGA.He has already done a lot technically, politically and financially in promoting agriculture in Okeero and its environs”.
“We also appreciate our political leader in the state, Senator Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for giving someone like Hon. Bamidele opportunity to show his capability, serving as the commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources”. the spokesman added
Dignitaries present at the event includes; HRH Oba Oloruntoba, the olota of Odo-Owa ably represented by one of his Chief; Chairman, Oke-Ero local government, ably represented by his vice, Hon. Folashade; the secretary, Oke-Ero local government, Hon. Anthony;
Chairman, All Progressive Congress, Oke-Ero local government; NULGE chairman, Oke-Ero local government; Rev. Olanrewaju, the honorable Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Bamidele Adegoke among others.