The Chairman-elect of ATISBO local government area of Oyo state, Alhaji Bashir Olumuyiwa Alade has revealed his plan to have the first honey village in the Oke Ogun area of the state
Alade made this known while speaking, on Monday, at the 5th Nigeria Youth Beekeepers’ Summit, in commemoration of World Bee Day at the Nigeria Export Promotion Council Hall, Abuja.
The former President of the Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU) added that ATISBO local government under his leadership will be ready to collaborate with private sectors, investors and others to establish a honey village in Oke Ogun.
He added that this will create jobs, stimulate local economic growth and promote sustainable beekeeping practices.
His words: “Distinguished guests, esteemed beekeepers, and fellow stakeholders. I stand before you today as the newly elected Chairman of Atisbo Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. On this World Bee Day, I am honored to address you at the 5th Nigeria Youth Beekeepers’ Summit.
“As we gather here today, I want to highlight the vast potential of apiculture in our region. Oke Ogun, in Oyo State, is the food basket of the South West, with 80% of our population engaged in farming. We are committed to supporting and scaling beekeeping to a sustainable commercial level, beyond aid projects.
“However, I must acknowledge the security challenges faced by our beekeepers, including hive vandalism. This is unacceptable and must be addressed. We urge investors, international organizations, and stakeholders to join us in finding solutions to these challenges.
“To drive growth and development in apiculture, we are ready to collaborate with private sector partners and the Youth for Apiculture Initiative (YFai) to establish the Nigeria Honey Village in Oke Ogun. This project will create jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and promote sustainable beekeeping practices.
‘We are committed to: Supporting beekeepers with training and resources; Scaling beekeeping to a sustainable commercial level; Opening local markets for other bee products beyond honey, such as pollen, propolis, and venom; Providing an enabling environment for youth participation in apiculture
“We invite investors, organizations, and stakeholders to join us in this exciting journey. Together, let us unlock the full potential of apiculture in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
“Thank you, and let us work together to make a sweet impact!”
