Written by Lawal Jamiu A.

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, alongside other honourable members have been decorated as the Patrons of the State chapter of the National Agricultural Cooperative Organisation (NACO) in recognition of their efforts and support for agricultural development in the State.

The NACO delegation, led by the State Coordinator and Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Abogunrin, alongside other principal officers and representatives from local governments across the State decorated the Assemblymen, during a courtesy on the State lawmakers led by the Speaker at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Organisation said it was impressed with the strides of the Speaker and the entire Assembly members in supporting agricultural initiatives in the State.

Rt. Hon. Elemide, while receiving the honour in alongside his Deputy, Hon. Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi and other lawmakers, appreciated the Organisation for the recognition and urged them to work closely with the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Security to strengthen collaboration with the executive arm of government in the State.

He also encouraged them to liaise with lawmakers representing their various constituencies to ensure adequate representation and effective advocacy for the sector.

In their remarks, lawmakers including the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Waliu Owode, Majority Leader Yusuf Sheriff, Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye as well as Honourables Babatunde Tella and Oluseun Adesanya highlighted the proposed Agricultural Mechanisation and Sustainability Bill, which they noted was meant for promoting youth participation in farming and facilitating access to loans and grants.

They further advised the association to register with relevant State Ministries, Departments and Agencies relating to Agriculture to aid their visibility, inclusiveness and proper alignment with government policies and programmes.