The gubernatorial ambition of Alhaji Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kwara State got a boost on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 when the State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association OF Nigeria (FACAN) pledge to support his aspiration.
Speaking at the Doctors’ Hall venue of the on-going state-wide consultative meeting with groups and stakeholders in Adewole, Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Ajetunmobi Shuaib Ishola, National Treasurer of FACAN maintained that after listening to the submission of Alhaji Lawal on agriculture reforms, he has cleared every doubt that “he is able and capable of turning around the fortunes of Kwara state.“
The gubernatorial candidate had told the gathering that the “State is blessed with many Agriculture Belts,” adding that “for instance, we had Rice and Sugar Belts in Patigi, Cotton Belt in Baruten and Cocoa Belt in Irepodun Ekiti, Oke Ero in Kwara South.”
He equally promised the sector will be modernized to maximize the full potentials of the sector for greater returns to the farmer in order to make farming attractive to both the old and the young. “We will encourage the farmers to form co-operatives and form enterprises to work on large farms. Government he said, will also form marketing Company like in the days of Late Sadauna in Northern Nigeria, to maximize profit to our farmers.”
The FACAN Treasurer therefore stated that his group will be very pleased and willing to meet again with the gubernatorial candidate to fine-tune the reforms on agriculture and agro-allied industries.
On his own part, the President of the State chapter of PMAN, Mumeen Amulelola berated the current administration for neglecting the group and pledged the support of the group to Alhaji Lawal, believing that the SDP government will re-enact the legacy of former Governor Mohammed Lawal who gave the PMAN seven vehicles.
“Former Governor Lawal gave us seven vehicles. It has never happened before him and even after him. We are delighted with Hakeem Lawal, and confident of his capacity to re-enact the good old days in Kwara State. Our association is ready to support him,” Amulelola said.
