2021 NIGERIA COCOA SUMMIT AND AWARDS: GOVERNOR ABIODUN RECEIVES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

2021 NIGERIA COCOA SUMMIT AND AWARDS: GOVERNOR ABIODUN RECEIVES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

 

In continuation of his winning streaks in the Agricultural  sector across board, the Ogun State  Governor,  Prince Dapo Abiodun has received an Award of Excellence at the Nigeria Cocoa Summit and Awards for this year.

The event was  held at the Sandralia Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday 30th November 2021.

The Summit was jointly organized by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the  Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

The Commissioner  for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina informed that the Award of Excellence was in recognition of Governor Abiodun's  immense contributions to the Cocoa Economy of Nigeria through recent interventions approved for the Cocoa Sector in Ogun State. 

Such intervention  according to him included the  fulfilment of all pre-conditions necessary for the participation of Ogun State in the CBN Cocoa Development Initiative and other Cocoa support initiatives for Ogun Cocoa farmers and stakeholders; which included evaluation of all Cocoa producing sites in the State, as funded by the  Ogun State Government.

Others as he said  include the designation of land in ten  locations for prospective investors in primary production; Production and free distribution of 100,000 improved Cocoa seedlings to Cocoa farmers through Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and other channels in 2020 and 2021 under the Planting Materials Palliative Project of the State Government; Credit linkage of 70 Million Naira for 117 Cocoa farmers in Ogun State under the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme.

 

Dignitaries at the event included the representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Executive Director, Business Development, NEXIM- Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria- Dr. Adebola Patrick Oluyomi,  National President, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN)- Comrade Adeola Adegoke, President, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN)- Mr. Abolarin Mufutawu Olayinka, Zonal Manager, Wema Bank- Mr Adeniyi Owaduge.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Federal Produce Inspectorate, Sir Philip Efe Ogieriaikhi of Edo State Department of Produce,  Managing Director, Sunshine Chocolate Factory Ondo State- Mr. Oghenerobo Adhuse, Dr. Taiwo Osun of Tulip Cocoa Processing Nigeria Ltd, Managing Director, Harvestfield Industries- Prince Martins Awofisayo, Chairman, CANDEL- Mr. Charles Anudu,Representatives from Export Promotion Council, MD/CEO Zenith Energy Enzymes Limited- Engr. Mrs Edith Iroegbu,  Prof. Adebayo Aromolaran of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba, Ondo State, Prof. Adegboyega Oguntade of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State.

Ogun State was represented at the Summit by the Director of Tree Crops Mr. James Oyesola and the Director of Produce Services, Alhaji Sharmsideen Adenopo of the Ministry of Agriculture.