The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, has unveiled plans to establish an agricultural estate aimed at boosting food production and creating job opportunities for unemployed youth in the country. The monarch announced the initiative on Monday while addressing journalists at his palace during the ongoing Odun Omo Olowu 2024 festival in Abeokuta.
Oba Matemilola revealed that the agricultural estate, to be run as a cooperative, will focus on various sectors such as poultry, pig farming, fisheries, crop farming, and vegetable farming. The estate will provide facilities including tractors, irrigation services, and farm inputs to support local farmers. The monarch stressed that the project is designed to support the government’s efforts to address food security while fostering agricultural entrepreneurship.
“This agricultural enterprise will be a cooperative where anyone interested in farming can participate,” Matemilola explained. “We will ensure the highest standards are followed, and we are already in discussions with the government for collaboration. Our goal is to boost food production and create employment through agriculture.”
In addition to the agricultural estate, the monarch announced the launch of a non-governmental organisation, the Olowu Hope Initiative, which will focus on socio-economic development in the Owu Kingdom. The initiative, set to be launched on Saturday, will provide one daily meal for 1,000 schoolchildren in three primary schools in Abeokuta, with plans to expand the program to 3,000 children over the next few years.
Other key areas of the Olowu Hope Initiative include microcredit support for women and healthcare insurance for 1,000 people by the end of the year. Oba Matemilola emphasized that these efforts aim to improve the well-being of the Owu community and contribute to national development.
The monarch made these announcements during the Odun Omo Olowu festival, an annual celebration that highlights the rich cultural heritage of the Owu people. This year’s festival, themed “Growth and Advancement,” includes free medical services for over a thousand people, cultural displays, and the conferment of chieftaincy titles. The grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, with dignitaries such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Balogun of Owu Kingdom, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi, expected to attend.
The agricultural estate and other initiatives by the Olowu of Owu Kingdom are seen as key steps in supporting national development and enhancing the livelihoods of the people in the region.
