The Group Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Bimbo Ashiru, has disclosed that the board of the company recently signed a N10 billion cocoa deal with the largest exporter of cocoa in Africa, saying that the focus is now on agriculture.
“I have to be honest with you, our focus is now on agriculture. I am happy to tell you that on the day of our AGM, we signed a deal with the largest exporter of cocoa in Africa. We signed about over a N10 billion deal with them, and we are going to focus on that area – cocoa and cassava”, Ashiru said.
The group chairman was speaking at the Cocoa House @60 grand finale, which was held on Tuesday, August 19, at the Cocoa House, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He also revealed that he would challenge the south-west governors to establish a monument in each state that could be named Cassava House, Timber House, Rubber House, emphasising the need to bring the old glory back.
“I’m going to challenge our leaders that in each state, we must have a monument like this, which we can call Cassava House, Timber House, Rubber House. And I’m happy the president is now focusing on agriculture to create good food on the table. We need to bring back the old glory, but the most important thing is that we want to keep the legacy of our forefathers. I am happy that their grandchildren are here to see what their grandparents have done,” Ashiru added.
Ashiru noted that the legacy of the founding fathers has continued to yield bountiful fruits over the past 60 years, expressing appreciation to the governors of the South-West states for believing in the stakeholders of the group.
“This diamond jubilee is proof that the stewardship of many shareholders, boards, management, and staff has borne fruit. So today, I must say thank you”, Ashiru said.
In his address at the event, the Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa, said the event was not just to mark time but to honour an idea that was born in the hearts of the founding fathers and nurtured by the sweat of farmers.
“Today, we are not merely marking time; we are honouring an idea. An idea born in the hearts of our founding fathers, nurtured by the sweat of our farmers, and lifted skyward by the vision of leaders who dared to dream beyond their season.
“In 1965, under the golden leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and commissioned by Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Cocoa House rose from the rich proceeds of cocoa to claim its place in history as the first skyscraper in West Africa, standing tall at 105,” Yinusa said.
In her goodwill message, a two-term former Minister of Trade and Investment, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Akande, described Cocoa House as a symbol of resilience, a testament of hardworking, vision and dedication of the forefathers.
For over 60 years, Cocoa House has been a symbol of resilience. To everyone associated with Cocoa House, past and present, this anniversary is a celebration of your collective journey, achievements and the legacy you have built. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision that have shaped the Cocoa House into what it is today. Congratulations!
“Cocoa House, completed in 1965, remains a symbol of economic and agricultural prosperity,” she said.
Also, in his goodwill message, the Chairman of DAWN Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye, emphasised continuity in government, saying that development has no political colouration.
He added that Cocoa House would not have been celebrated today if the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, had abandoned the project, which his predecessor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, started.
Oyeleye then urged the people of the South-West region to move from unimaginable and unthinkable so that the region would move to the forefront of development.
South-West state governors of Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos were represented at the event by their secretaries to the state governments, among other dignitaries.
