Ondo Govt Kicks Off ‘Ayedero’ Food Relief Initiative As Committee Chair, Rotimi Wemi-Akinsola Meets Traditional Rulers ..Promises Seamless Process

The chairman of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s Ayedero Food Relief Initiative in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Wemi-Akinsola, has held the inaugural meeting with Traditional rulers, promising a hitch free process.

The meeting which held at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Akure on Thursday had in attendance the committee on food and security as well as traditional rulers across the three senatorial districts of the state.

After the brief introduction by the secretary of the committee, Mr. Gbenga Akingbasote,who is also the permanent secretary of Ondo State ministry of Agriculture, Mr Wemi-Akinsola explained the concepts of the Governor Aiyedatiwa’s food and security initiative.

He, however, said the food and security initiative of Governor Aiyedatiwa was to cushion the effect of the downturn in the economy, occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

Mr Wemi-Akinsola said the low hanging fruits of the programme is the quick intervention support of the state government to reduce food prices as soon as possible for livestock farmers in the state with free distribution of maize grains as feedstuff in order to cushion the effect of cost of production to livestock farmers which will have direct impact in the cost of food prices to the populace of Ondo state.

He equally expressed concern over agitations of some registered displaced farmers in the state forests for other development purposes in the state and implored the kings to talk with the affected people in their communities and calm them down that Ondo state government never intended to deprive them of their source of livelihood.

He stated that work is in progress to relocate and support the affected farmers in order to continue with their farming activities as soon as possible.

Mr Wemi-Akinsola explained that the (Ayedero) Food Relief initiative of the government will subsidize some staple foods up to 50% at designated centers across the 18 Local government areas of Ondo state.

He said; “The intention of the government for this subsidized food intervention program is to cushion the effect of hunger and reduce the high cost in prices of staple food in order to put food on the table of the citizens of our dear state.”

The chairman also assured the kings of the government’s plan and commitment to intensify efforts through different security agencies available and the use of improved security technology to combat the menace of insecurity of the lives and property of Ondo state farmers.

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Deji of Akure, HRM Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi hailed the good gestures of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and thanked the committee from carrying the traditional rulers along in the process .

The Kings however expressed their displeasure on inadequate involvement in some government programmes in their communities.

They explained that there will be abundance of food in the state soonest once the issues of farmers’ security is addressed.

The traditional rulers bemoaned the continued attack of the herdsmen as a major issue that chases the farmers away from the farm.