By Olasunkanmi Olajide
On July 18, 2024, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji Land, alongside the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, and other Council members, paid a Courtesy Call on Ogun State Governor Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, CON, at the Governor’s Office in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

During the visit, the Pro-Chancellor appealed for the rehabilitation of the 6.5 km access road from Camp Junction to the Ceremonial Gate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

He highlighted the University’s ongoing projects, including a successful 2-hectare tomato farm cultivated by the Farm Practical Year (FPY) students and a bumper harvest from a 22-hectare Bio-Ethanol Cassava Farm.

     The Pro-Chancellor urged the Governor to leverage the University’s agricultural outputs and foster closer collaboration between the State and FUNAAB, stressing the University’s role in community development through research.

     Governor Abiodun, also the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, responded by underscoring the importance of inter-state and regional trade to ensure food security.

He announced plans to establish Farmers’ Markets at strategic locations across Ogun State, including Asero in Abeokuta and Ogere along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, as part of efforts to enhance food availability.

The Governor also disclosed plans to relocate the Kara Cattle Market to Ogere to provide a better environment for cattle merchants.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agriculture as a means of achieving food security, creating employment, and generating revenue.

Recognising FUNAAB’s pivotal role in these initiatives, he promised collaboration on various projects, including cassava production, and assured that the rehabilitation of the Camp/Alabata road would be a priority for his administration.