Legislature

Ogun Assembly Summons Officials over Defunct Anchor Borrowers’ Programme

By Web News 456

By Omolara Adasofunjo

The Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) Committee on Agriculture has summoned key stakeholders involved in the defunct Anchor Borrowers’ Programme to appear before it on Tuesday, 28th October 2025.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Waliu Owode, issued the summons.

Mr Owode listed those expected to appear as the former Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina; the Chairman and Secretary of the National Cassava Growers Association; former executive members of the association, Mr. Ilori and Mr. Segun Adewunmi; and the Project Manager of the programme.

The committee is seeking clarifications on the scheme’s implementation in the state, prompted by petitions from victims who allege that Wema Bank Plc made illegal deductions from their personal funds without providing the intended support.

During a sitting at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the committee also directed Wema Bank to submit a comprehensive report on all programme disbursements.

This report must include a list of service providers, the total funds released, and all relevant supporting documents.

The meeting, which included the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Bolu Owootomo, further mandated the bank to liaise with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and its Abeokuta branch to provide a verified list of all programme beneficiaries.

Committee Chairman, Mr. Owode added that the OGHA Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption will collaborate with the Agriculture Committee on the investigation, given the involvement of public funds.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels, and also join our WhatsApp Update Group.

Agriculture

Abiodun Plans To Enhance Productivity, Efficiency in Food Distribution

By Web News 163

By Olusegun Folarin

Ogun State government is to create 3 major farmers’ markets in parts of the state to enhance food distribution and provide a sustainable platform for farmers to sell their produce. 

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Bolu Owootomo, stated this during a chat with journalists at his office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. 

The Commissioner said that establishing farmers’ markets at Ijebu Ode, Lusada would also enhance people’s access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. 

He announced plans for mass distribution of tractors and harvesters to farmers for the increase in productivity and efficiency, adding that over 5 billion naira worth of inputs had been distributed to farmers across the three senatorial districts of the state. 

Mr Owootomo explained that the interventions of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, including zero percent interest loan facility for farmers and capacity building, were part of efforts to ensure an all-around farming system in line with the policy thrust of President Bola Tinubu towards attaining food sufficiency and security.

On the alleged deduction of personal funds from the accounts of subscribers to the Anchor Borrowers Programme, Mr Owootomo said efforts were ongoing to resolve the issue, with the assurance that subscribers would be refunded upon the completion of investigations.

The commissioner solicited continued support of relevant stakeholders, especially the media, in the efforts to making Ogun State the food basket of the nation.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and, also join our WhatsApp Update Group