The Yoruba group, Afenifere, on Saturday, called on governments in Yorubaland to show more commitment to agriculture, which would make more food available for their people and boost the economy.

According to the organisation’s National Publicity, Jare Ajayi, this was part of the resolutions made during the recent caucus meeting held in Akure, Ondo State.

Ajayi said that the meeting considered the centrality of food in any society and the high cost of food items in Yorubaland.

Afenifere called on governments, particularly in the South West, to adopt a better attitude to agriculture.

“For instance, policy papers on how Farm Settlements were established and run when the area was known as Western Region and Western State should be revisited and reviewed in line with the present reality for implementation purposes,” Ajayi said.

He added that in reworking the farm settlements programmes, complete or near-complete mechanisation of farming and agricultural practices generally must become the norm.

“Besides, local government councils should be given the mandate and leverage to establish farms in their respective areas. Farm inputs are made available to the farmers at subsidised rates. In the same vein, food items can be made available to the people at subsidised rates,” he said.

Asked about the efforts of the Yorubas in Kogi State to have tertiary institutions in their area, Ajayi said that Afenifere is “very much in support of the desire and efforts of our people in Kogi State and elsewhere to enhance their education opportunities.

“As a matter of fact, the matter came up during our last Caucus meeting in Akure. At the meeting, the federal government was called upon to upgrade the School of Agriculture in Kabba, to a full-fledged federal university.
“This is in keeping with the aspirations of the people to improve the quality and standard of teaching and products of the institution as well as boosting agricultural practices.

“In the same vein, the desire of our people in Egbe to have Federal Medical Sciences in their area is also fully supported.

“It would be recalled that the people of Kabba in Kabba-Bunu local government of Kogi State have been agitating for the College of Agriculture in Kabba to be upgraded to a federal university.”

Obaro of Kabba, His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Oladele Owoniyi Otitoleke Oweyomade I, registered his people’s desire in this respect.

He spoke at the said Afenifere meeting through the Oba (Dr.) Muyiwa Ibeun, Elulu of Mopa.

The Senator representing Kogi West in the Upper Chamber, Sen. Sunday Steve Karimi, last week disclosed that the bills on the proposed universities have already passed the second reading in the Senate and the third reading in the House of Representatives.