Obasanjo meets farmers, asks Nigerians to assist govt in wealth creation

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerians, particularly those from Owu, Ogun State, to assist the government in creating wealth through human empowerment.

Obasanjo, who spoke on Saturday in Kuta, Osun State, during the 29th Owu National Convention organised by the Royal Union of Owu People, said government alone could not empower the people, hence the need for cooperation that would lead to a better life.

He said the objectives of the group, apart from for the people of Owu being able to identify themselves, also included capacity building and empowerment.

Inaugurating the new executive of the group, Obasanjo called on them to work for further growth of the organisation, especially in the area of empowerment of members.

He said, “All we are doing is to say, yes, the government can help in development but we, in our communities, in our villages,  wherever we settle, we can also help by adding our own little to whatever government can do.

“Our objective is to help our people wherever they are in their development, in the enhancement of their living standard and we have, as you can see, an initiative called, ‘Obinrin Owu,’ that is the women of Owu.

“The group, which has daughters and the wives of Owu, has come together to give skills and empowerment to those who need such assistance. And we thank God that for the past almost 30 years, we have been able to do this continually.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Supreme Council of Owu Obas, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, said the Owu National Convention was an avenue to foster peace and unity among the descendants of Owu.

Meanwhile, some fish farmers, under the aegis of the Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria, have met with Obasanjo, who is a founding member of the body, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Obasanjo, in his remarks, lamented the negative influence of those he called intermediaries in the business.

He also complained that the farmers had been overwhelmed by the intermediaries in the industry.

Obasanjo said, “And if you want to liberate yourself, within a year, we can do it. And that is what we have to do. We have to re-strategise.”

The National President of CAFAN, Sunday Onoja, said the exemplary traits of the former President in farming could not be overemphasised in and outside the country.