By: Oluwatosin Adesola
Re-elected National President of
Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Comrade Adeola Adegoke has declared that the association under his leadership has facilitated disbursement of the First CBN-ABP loan to over 1,221 members from across all the cocoa producing states, namely; Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Cross-River, Edo, Delta, Abia and Kwara states.
A sum of Seven Hundred and Twenty Three Million (N723,000,000) Naira was disbursed under the arrangement.
Comrade Adeola stated this at the 2nd Inauguration Of National Working Committee Of The Association, held on thursday 6th July, 2023 At Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Hall, Ado-ekiti, Ekiti State.
Adeola said, “I want to quickly outline the laudable achievements my leadership had achieved in the last four years that ended two days ago i.e. 4th July, 2023 which I believe must have contributed majorly to another fresh sacred mandate given to us to lead the association for another four years. Some of the achievements are: The celebration of 1st National Cocoa Farmers’ Day at Ibadan, Oyo State on the 7th October, 2019;
“Hosting of Cocoa Farmers’ Roundtable Conference across all Cocoa producing states centered on enlightenment, and good cocoa management practices for cocoa sustainability.
“The First CBN-ABP loan disbursement to 1,221 Cocoa farmers at the sum of Seven Hundred and Twenty Three Million (N723,000,000) Naira only across all the cocoa producing states. They are: Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Cross-River, Edo, Delta, Abia and Kwara while the repayment is seriously ongoing;
“Building of the National Secretariat of Cocoa Farmers’ Association of Nigeria known as CFAN HOUSE which is the first built commodity house in Nigeria, situated at No. 28, Afeere Street, Owode, Akure, Ondo State; The celebration of 2nd Nigerian Cocoa Farmers’ Day at Abeokuta, Ogun State on the 28th October, 2021;
“Hosting of the Nigerian Cocoa Summit and Award at Sandralia Hotel, Jabi, Abuja on the 30th November, 2021 to 1st December, 2021 in collaboration with other value chain stakeholders; Production of first and second edition of Compendium on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) produced and distributed freely to all Cocoa Farmers across Nigeria written in English and Yoruba Languages respectively; Streamlining the Association’s authentication at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); Mobilizing, enlarging, and restructuring of CFAN membership across all the cocoa producing states;
“The celebration of the First National Cocoa Festival at the International Event Centre, THE DOME, Akure, Ondo State on the 13th October, 2022. The investiture of Ooni of Ife as the CFAN Grand Patron; Championing the establishment of National Cocoa Management Committee (NCMC) by the immediate past Honourable Minister of Agriculture, saddled with the responsibility of the collection of $400 per ton for the smallholder cocoa farmers;
“Flagging-off the enumeration and data collection of CFAN members across the cocoa producing states; Regular facilitation of the release of subsidized inputs and seedlings to CFAN member in the states in conjunction with CRIN, Harvestfields, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and others; Facilitation of trainings, seminars and workshops in collaboration with partners for the development of CFAN members across the cocoa producing states; Setting up of an official website for the association;
“CFAN members emerging as the 3rd and 4th overall best at the Cocoa of Excellence competition (quality assurance) organised by CRIN and lot more. Without any doubt, I give glory to Almighty God who enabled us to achieve these feats enumerated above and we are looking forward to consolidate on the gains achieved in our second tenure with collaboration with other value chain stakeholders.
“I am delighted to welcome you to the 2nd Inauguration of National Working Committee of the Cocoa Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (CFAN); an umbrella body for the smallholder cocoa farmers of Nigeria. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate our Grand Patron, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, OJAJA II, Ooni of Ife, invited royal fathers, VIP guests who all counted us worthy, more importantly, our Keynote Speaker-Mr. Franklin Amoo; Member, Advisory Council to President Joe Biden on the ease of doing business in Africa, who travelled all the way from the United States of America (USA) to honour us today.
“Also, let me congratulate His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander -in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on his assumption of Office. I would like to use this auspicious occasion to appreciate the dynamic Governor of Ekiti State; His Excellency, Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji whose passion for development of Ekiti State has been demonstrated through his numerous robust policies geared towards transforming the agarian sector in the state. I believe your Excellency passion will propel the growth and development of the Cocoa sector to an enviable height before the end of your first term in Office.
“Let me also welcome the following representatives; OFI, Harvestfield, NEPC, CRIN, Government Representatives (Produce, Tree Crops & Cocoa Desk Officers), KOLETTI Cocoa, LIMAN Resources, Loom Chocolate and other value chains stakeholders who sacrificed their time and resources to grace today’s occasion.
“But, I will not end this without mentioning the attendance of our National Secretary, at All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), who is ably representing the National President Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, in person of Dr. Yinusa Halidu (Sar’kin Noma of Mambila Kingdom). I pray that may the good Lord gives you journey mercies back to your different destinations,” the CFAN President said.
In a Remark, the US President, Joe Biden called on President Bola Tinubu to come up with strategic policy frame work that will enhance cocoa production, processing and exportation.
This, according to the US president will enable the country boost its economy and create jobs for its teaming youths.
Biden, represented by member, Advisory Council to the President on the ease of doing business in Africa, Franklin Amoo, noted that America is working assiduously towards providing Investment fund for Nigeria.
He added that the US has implemented an act known as ‘African Growth and Opportunities Act’ which will allow products coming from Africa into America on free waybill.
In his words, “The US is interested in seeing more private sectors involved in US Companies to engage with the Nigeria economy in particular and as also, many of the Agencies such as Development finance corporation, are trying to provide Investment fund both to Nigeria ans US Companies who wants to participate.
“They will like to see US-Nigeria trade value and I want Nigerians to be aware of the African Growth and Opportunities Act which allows products coming from Africa into the UN duly free.” He said
On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, represented by Asanya of Isanya Kingdom, Oba Muraina Adedina, also called on the Federal Government to partner CFAN in order to achieve more for the improvement of the economy.
Other inaugurated members of the CFAN National Working Committee include; Elder Olagunju Aina as Deputy President, Comrade Agbor Bassey as National Secretary, Tiamiyu Musa as National Ass. Sec, Dr. S. Williams as National Treasurer Oloyede Ezekiel as National Fin Sec.
Raji Sarafa Ariyo as National Ass. Fin Sec, Deacon Makanjuola Akinyele as National PRO, Sharafa Ife Olayemi as National Org Sec, Uche Mmeregini as National Ass Org Sec, Raji Musa Akanni as National Auditor I and Qazeem Tijani as National Auditor II.
Present at the event were Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji represented by Director of Tree Crops, Ekiti State Ministry of Agric and Food Security and Food Security, Alao Olutope, Olujan of Ijan-Ekiti, Oba Lawrence Aladesuyi, among others.
