Ooni launches cocoa farming for victims of Ife-Modakeke war

The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Monday, took a bold step to erase the memories of the Ife-Modakeke communal war when he unveiled a nursery plant of one million cocoa pots and trees in a farmland located in Ile-Ife to empower youths and widows in cocoa farming.

The monarch, in a statement by the Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, said the initiative was the first phase of the targeted 10 millions trees to be given out to shortlisted 100,000 youths and thousands of widows who are victims of the communal crisis.

The Ooni lamented neglect of agriculture, which used to be a major source of revenue to the country, restating his commitment to creating a renewed hope for youths through agricultural revolution in line with his 11-point agenda.

The monarch, who is the Grand Patron of Graduate Farmers Association of Nigeria, said he chose cocoa farming, which now sells for about $3,000 dollars per tonne as a sustainable alternative to crude oil.

The statement reads: “It is pertinent to say that we are not alone in this masses-oriented scheme as we are already into very assuring collaborations.