The Ogun State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Arewa Cotton Limited on the production, processing and marketing of cotton in the state.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, who signed the MoU on behalf of the government, said the agreement would return the state to its pride of place as the largest producer of long-cotton in Nigeria.
Adeoluwa added that it was high time the nation returned to agriculture as the only way out of the present financial embarrassment being witnessed in Nigeria as a result of over dependence on crude oil.
The SSG said revamping the moribund cotton production was a way to revive the lucrative textile business in the country to gainfully engage unemployed youths and bring dividends of democracy to the people.
According to him, “This is a very important milestone in the history of our state. Agriculture is the third on the list of the five cardinal programmes of our administration. This is the only way to go, as an escape from the present economic embarrassment in the nation.
“Ogun used to be one of the largest producers of cotton. This administration is here to reposition agriculture, especially cotton, which we want to make as a real dividend for our people’’, he added.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, expressed the hope that the state would by the MoU be able to produce at least 250,000 tonnes of cotton per year , adding that the revenue of the state would also improve as cotton, produced in the state, would serve textile industries in the country.
Chairman, Arewa Cotton Limited, Prof. Micheal Olayiwole, said there was a need to collaborate with Ogun State, as the first to sign an MoU with Arewa Cotton in the country, for it to return to its enviable status in the trade.
Olayiwole solicited government’s continued support for enabling environment, devoid of bureaucracy, as this was crucial to the success of the project, adding that it was expected to generate over 300 jobs and produce 50-100 entrepreneurs with lots of investment opportunities for cotton farmers across the state.