For Awo to keep smiling in his grave – Folorunsho Bello

The nation should poke its eye on modern day livestock farming and the inherent value chain. Discussion on how to reawake Fashola Breeding Farm, and Ranches at Odeda, lwo-oloba, Onisere, lkorodu, and by extension, other geopolitical regions of Nigeria, should commence earnestly without much ado.

Opinion is rife from livestock pundits that cattle business shouldn’t be at the exclusive preserve of one particular ethnic group.

A vernacularised viral video, incisive anecdote, courtesy of Adewunmi Taiwo, a professor, stated therein that debate on RUGA (cattle rustling) is unnecessary for a country that is endowed with expansive pastoral land. He expressed sadness, witnessing the lackadaisical streak of successive military governments to internal breeding, so much so that the Indama grandparent/parent stocks imported by the Action Group Administration from Mali and other neighbouring countries, meant for breeding commercial cattle were eventually slaughtered by government officials for owambe parties. Absurd! It doesn’t sit well in subconscious mind. Alas, the above-mentioned sites became comatose, whilst equipment therein were scattered all over the country.

Gaslighting the southwest schism from the smithereens of rest regions, it is imperative to inquire if truly the Fashola breeding farm/ranches still lie fallow (doubtful anyway) so that the South West Governors’ Forum (SWGF), in the spirit of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), could considerably conduct a feasibility & viability study that would freckle thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, with a broad view to ascertain the dual possibilities of resuscitation, and proliferation respectively, that is, spread farms/ranches virtually across all cities in the region. It is no flattery, the Forum is blessed with six technocratic, development-hungry, and sophisticated governors, embellished with progressive ethos irrespective of party affiliations; they often coalesce for the sake of regional integration; also stand steadfast in their commitment to provide welfare and progress, not only for the people of southwest, but the entire nation, therefore, it is indubitable the Forum would hearken to the call for study.

Perhaps, DAWN Commission and the newly-enacted South West Development Commission (SWDC) have to synergise, in order to do final justice to the subject matter.

Is someone saying government has no business in business? Okay! Be that as it may, it becomes suggestive that the mentioned farm/ranches can be concessioned to skilled entrepreneurs with keen interest in agribusiness; and full private sector participation (psp), is also recommended.

The approximation in concessioning, is predicated on the upbeat of employment generation, scrupulous practice in livestock breeding, residents consuming certified proteinous beef, abundant production of nutritious dairies (yoghurt & evaporated/powdered milk), forestalling cattle rustling, assuaging faceoff between farmers/herders, marginally upping govt’s IGR via tariff/levy; and whoever says the region cannot even earn hard currency through exportation if it breeds more than the terrestrial requirement, should say that to the marines.

Sounding somehow optimistic, if breeding works well in other climes, there is no reason the feat cannot be replicated in Nigeria that is populated by aggressive and business-savvy citizens. The politicians who are today taken as political business mogul, can also transgress to parri passu become agribusiness mogul.

The copious inquiry at this junction however, is whether the farm and ranches have not been converted to housing estates, churches, mosques, shrines, and groves for the deities, especially the midnight masquerade (Oro)? Investigation shall tell.

The Sage & Avatar, Obafemi Awolowo, SAN GCFR (1909-1987), the best president Nigeria never had, will be filled with posthumous ecstasy seeing his kindred revamping his effervescent initiative of breeding livestock with zero-tolerance for tripanosomiasis virus, cows that are more-beefy, less-bony, and hygienic for human consumption, thus complementing the towering efforts of his ‘baby-of-the-house’ (now a grandma), the last woman standing, Dr. (Mrs.) Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, in keeping the flame of his developmental legacy, burning.

*Folorunsho Bello is a distinguished professor of financial management, Pebble Hills University, Del., USA; and State Secretary, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG., Lagos State Chapter.)