A chieftain of the Accord Party , Chief Peter Taiwo Ogundeji, popularly known as Apata, has empowered over 700 farmers across the 10 local government areas in Osun West Senatorial District with spraying machines and agricultural chemicals.
The programmme was held on Saturday at the Baptist High School Field, Ejigbo, as part of the Apata Cares Foundation’s farmers empowerment programme.
Speaking at the event, Ogundeji said the initiative was aimed at supporting farmers to increase their productivity and contribute to food sufficiency in Osun State, Osun West and their respective local governments.
He explained that the foundation had previously empowered people with items including grinding machines, milling machines, motorcycles and freezers, but decided to focus on farmers after recognising the importance of agriculture to food production and the community.
Ogundeji urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the spraying machines and agricultural chemicals provided to them to improve their farming activities.
Ahead of the August 15 governorship election, the Accord chieftain urged residents to remain peaceful and support the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying the election should be conducted without violence or rancour.
He also urged the beneficiaries and other voters across Osun West to come out and exercise their franchise without intimidation, assuring them that security personnel would be available to protect voters.
Also speaking, the Osun State Commissioner for Land and Regional Planning, George Alabi, commended Ogundeji for the empowerment programme, noting that the initiative was not limited to Ejigbo but extended to the local government areas in the senatorial district.
Alabi urged voters to assess candidates based on their records and what they had done for the people, citing the development of the road linking Ejigbo Township to Isoko as one of the projects he said should be considered by voters.
According to him, the road was previously difficult to access, particularly during rainfall, but has now become more accessible under the Adeleke administration.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and OSADDEP, Hon. Atidade Akanfe, also commended Ogundeji and called on individuals with the capacity to support farmers and other needy people in their communities.
Akanfe said government could not do everything alone, urging individuals and organisations to complement government efforts by supporting farmers in their various communities.
He also advised voters to arrive at their polling units early on election day, exercise their civic rights and remain at the polling centre to monitor the counting and recording of votes.
One of the beneficiaries, Comrade Oladejo Ademola, expressed appreciation to Ogundeji for the empowerment, saying the programme had made the beneficiaries feel included and supported.
Ademola also commended Ogundeji for what he described as his interest in supporting young people and urged residents, particularly those in rural communities and elderly voters, to come out and participate in the August 15 governorship election.