SIR: On December 21, 2017, Ogun State government held a celebratory homage to our agricultural initiative and progress just in time for the end of the year. In MITROS rice our collective effort brought us 100,000 bags of rice!
As one of the farmers involved in the entire process, I am aware that a point a decision was made to historicize this agricultural landmark in our dear state by paying visual homage to Egypt and the pyramids of Kano. Building a pyramid is a feat of engineering genius, an appropriate representation for the work of the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration.
The optics of representation did not, however, mean the exact replication of the engineering mastery of Egypt. So we tested the engineering efficiencies of our own pyramids, before the actual construction and display. We wanted to ensure that our pyramid of rice was strong and the safety of our dignitaries was taken care of. As we worked, we did several test runs one afternoon in broad daylight; and in open view of the public. No secrets, nothing to hide. We tested the structure with unbranded bags of rice, measuring weight and other dimensions to ensure stability and geometric efficiencies. We took pictures of the work in progress, recording different angles and phases of the pyramid.
These pictures we exchanged among ourselves, some of us excited farmers and for our engineering teams, to assess work progress. Unknown to us, this level of conceptualization would befuddle some mindless nay-sayers. Alas, it is now these work pictures that are being bandied around by the idle minds.
Whether they like it or not, Ogun State is the story of affirmed success, for where were they when Governor Amosun renewed the landscape of our state, building new roads, creating a new network of possibilities for industrial growth? Are these roads imaginary or real entities that have also provided the ease of travel and transportation for our people? What tree were they climbing as Governor Amosun built the state’s foreign exchange earnings? Ogun State, our state, now owns 75% of the Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), in Nigeria. We are rated as number one among the 36 states of the federation in the percentage improvement of the Internally Generated Revenues between 2014 and 2017.
As a farmer who contributed to that success story, I cannot be swayed or distracted by naysayers. The best I can do for them is to advice that they find a new pastime and make effort to be part of the march of progress. We encourage them to move away from mindlessly hopping from tree to tree, howling and hauling falsehoods.
Bolarinwa Ojesegun,
Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Nation News
