Ogun Monarch Decries Reliance on North for Food, Advocates Agricultural Reforms

The Onibudo of Ayetoro-Budo Ota in Ogun State, Oba Adewunmi Adeniji Odutala, has expressed concern over the lack of agricultural investment by governors in the South West, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms to reduce reliance on the North for food production.

Speaking during the annual Festival of Praise organized by his evangelical outreach on Saturday, Oba Odutala criticized the state governors for neglecting agriculture, a move he believes has weakened the naira and stunted foreign exchange inflows. "In South West today, how many farms do we have that are functioning? If we don't wait for the North to bring food to us, what happens?" he questioned.

The monarch stressed that the lack of agricultural productivity has made Nigeria less competitive globally. "Now, the exchange rate is so bad because we are not producing. And if we are not producing, we should not blame Mr. President alone. What are the governors doing? What are they producing in their states that we can export to stabilize the economy?" he added.

Support for Tax Reform

Oba Odutala commended the Federal Government for its proposed tax reform bill, urging President Tinubu to expedite its passage to alleviate the tax burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He identified multiple taxation as a major hindrance to economic growth.

“In my submission, I've identified multiple taxation as the principal headache that is killing SMEs and, in effect, deepening the unemployment crisis," the monarch stated. He called for a Presidential Executive Order to harmonize taxation and enforce compliance with pro-SME initiatives.

"The state collects tax, the local government collects tax, directly or indirectly. Multiple taxation is killing businesses in Nigeria. So let us think outside the box and allow Mr. President to make this thing work," he added.

Call for Transparency

Oba Odutala praised the inclusiveness of the tax reform bill and its potential benefits for the economy if implemented. "You know, the economy is in shambles. The naira is so bad and uncalled for. My advice to Mr. President is to look inward. Please do something that will ameliorate the suffering of the common man. If you had gone through the process of the tax reform bill, you will see that at the end of the day, it will be in our own favour," he explained.

A Decade of Peace and Transformation

Reflecting on the significance of the Festival of Praise, the monarch described it as an avenue to celebrate God’s faithfulness over his kingdom. Marking his 10th year on the throne, he highlighted the relative peace and transformation witnessed in Ayetoro-Budo-Ota during his reign.

"You see, what we are passing through in the country presently, Nigeria is not the first to encounter such reform. Despite all we are going through, God is still very, very much faithful to us. So we need to return all the glory back to His holy name," he said.

Call to Action

The Onibudo called on governors and lawmakers to play their part in addressing the nation’s economic challenges. “The governors are there, the House of Reps are there, the Senators are there. What are they doing? Let our governors think outside the box and act decisively to stabilize the economy,” he emphasized.

The monarch’s remarks underline the need for agricultural investment and structural reforms to revitalize the Nigerian economy and improve the lives of its citizens.