Former Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government Area in Ondo State, Augustine Oloruntogbe, has turned down his appointment as a member of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board.
Oloruntogbe, who also served as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ondo State, communicated his decision in a letter addressed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Governor Aiyedatiwa had on Friday approved the composition of the Cocoa Revolution and Management Board as part of his administration’s efforts to reposition agriculture and boost cocoa production as a major driver of the state’s economy.
In his letter, Oloruntogbe explained that he was unable to accept the appointment because of pressing personal and professional commitments, which, he said, would prevent him from giving the role the level of dedication it requires.
He also used the opportunity to draw the governor’s attention to what he described as pressing concerns raised by cocoa farmers across the state.
According to Oloruntogbe, cocoa farmers operating within the Ose Game Reserve have alleged that they are being compelled to pay as much as ₦150,000 each into a private bank account without being issued official government receipts.
He urged the state government to investigate the allegations and ensure that all fees and levies within the cocoa sector are collected transparently, properly documented and paid into authorised government accounts.
Oloruntogbe added that resolving the issue would not only protect cocoa farmers from possible exploitation but also enhance public trust in the state’s ongoing Cocoa Revolution Agenda.
“After careful reflection and consultation, I have decided with the highest respect, honourably decline the offer to serve on the Board at this time due to pressing personal and professional commitments that will not allow me to give the assignment the full attention and dedication it deserves.
“In the spirit of supporting the success of the Cocoa Revolution, I also wish to respectfully bring to Your Excellency’s attention a matter of urgent concern raised by cocoa farmers in Oka Akoko who farm within the Ose Game Reserve.
“There are allegations of the collection of huge sums amounting to N150,000 per farmer into a private account, without any official receipt being issued.
“I respectfully urge the state government to look into this matter and ensure that all levies and payments within the cocoa value chain are properly documented, transparent, and channeled through official government accounts.”
BACKSTORY:
As part of efforts to reposition agriculture and boost economic growth in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently inaugurated the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board, a body expected to drive reforms in the state’s cocoa industry and strengthen its position as one of Nigeria’s leading cocoa-producing states.
The board forms a key component of the administration’s agricultural agenda, with members drawn from different sectors to provide policy direction, improve cocoa production, enhance value addition and address challenges affecting farmers across the state.
Among those appointed was former Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government and former Ondo State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Augustine Oloruntogbe, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who has held several leadership positions in the state.
However, rather than accept the appointment, Oloruntogbe formally declined the offer in a letter addressed to Governor Aiyedatiwa, citing pressing personal and professional commitments that, according to him, would prevent him from giving the assignment the attention it deserves.
While declining the appointment, the former council chairman also used the opportunity to draw the governor’s attention to allegations by cocoa farmers operating within the Ose Game Reserve. According to him, the farmers claimed they were being made to pay as much as ₦150,000 into a private account without official receipts. He urged the state government to investigate the claims and ensure that all levies within the cocoa value chain are collected transparently through authorised government channels to protect farmers and reinforce confidence in the state’s ongoing cocoa sector reforms.
