The Dagburewe of Idowa Ijebu in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Sikiru Okuribido, has said that with the support of the indigenes of the agrarian community, he has been able to establish a N500m bulk purchasing market for the residents of the town where food items are offered at 50 per cent discount.
Oba Okuribido said the establishment of the bulk purchase market was in reaction to the rising challenge of hunger with the surge in prices of food items which began last year.
The royal father also said within his one year in office, with the support of Gbogunmi Ministry, he has also facilitated financial assistance of N100m as revolving medium-term loans to farmers as well as the Christians, and Muslims, among other groups in the community.
He disclosed this at the press briefing at his Idowa Palace to mark his first coronation anniversary.
The royal father said, “In response to the hunger challenge and the surge of food prices, we have established a N500m bulk purchasing market where we offer food items like rice, noodles among others at a 50 per cent discount.
“For instance, a bag of rice is sold for N42,000, the only condition is that you must be a resident of our community and possess the CDA card which authenticates that you are indeed from Idowa community”.
Oba Okuribido also listed other achievements of his one year in office including payment of WAEC fees for over 60 students, facilitation of scholarships for 23 students, payment of JAMB lessons for 50 students, provision of N100m financial assistance to farmers and other interest groups among others.
The royal father has equally called for the reorganisation of Community Development Associations saying that they are a veritable platform to galvanise support to fight crime to a halt.
The traditional ruler said “For instance our CDAs used to be three but we have established over 60 since I ascended the throne, we know each other better now, it is a case of know who your neighbour is and this has really helped us to bolster the security architecture of the community”