The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has provided financial support to selected communities in Ondo State as part of efforts to discourage the cultivation of illicit crops and promote legitimate economic activities.
The intervention, under the agency’s Alternative Development Project, saw three communities — Ifon, Eleyowo and Ilu-Abo receive funding to encourage residents to abandon illegal cannabis cultivation and embrace lawful agricultural ventures.
Speaking on behalf of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Buba Marwa, his Chief of Staff, Colonel M. I. Aminu said the initiative was designed to address illegal crop cultivation by providing communities with economic alternatives.
According to him, rather than focusing solely on enforcement against those involved in illicit crop production, the agency decided to empower communities financially to support legal farming activities.
“The aim of this initiative is to stop the cultivation of illegal crops, particularly cannabis. Instead of constantly pursuing those involved in the act, we have chosen to empower them economically so they can transition into lawful ventures,” Aminu said.
He urged community leaders to ensure the funds are properly utilised, stressing that the money was meant for community development and not for sharing among individuals.
Aminu explained that the programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Government in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are giving each community N10 million for a start, and they will receive another N10 million once the first tranche is judiciously used,” he added.
Leaders of the beneficiary communities welcomed the initiative and pledged to ensure the funds are used for productive ventures.
The Olu of Ilu-Abo, Oba Oluyemisi Falae, commended the NDLEA for the initiative and assured that the community would make good use of the funds.
“I appreciate the NDLEA for this initiative. It will go a long way in supporting our people. We will ensure that the money is used judiciously,” he said.
Falae also revealed that the community had established a joint security team to ensure the safety of farmers while working on their farms.
Similarly, the Eleyowo monarch, Oba Agunbiade Adesina, also expressed appreciation to the agency, noting that the programme would significantly improve the livelihoods of residents.
“This initiative will improve the lives of our people. We have already begun planning how best to utilise the funds, and they will be strictly used for legal farming,” he said.
According to him, the Eleyowo community received a cheque of N12.5 million due to the strength of its proposal.
The Chief of Ikwuani Community, Ifon, Chief Ogbuefi Chukwunwike ,described the intervention as an opportunity for residents to move away from illegal crop cultivation and embrace legitimate agricultural activities.
“This initiative will help us desist from illicit planting and focus on better livelihoods. We have already decided to invest in farming,” he said, adding that crops such as yam, plantain, cocoa and pepper would be cultivated with the funds.” The Chief said
Participants in the programme also expressed optimism and pledged to abandon illicit crop cultivation.
A resident of Ifon, Mary Chukwuemeke, said the programme had brought relief to residents who previously lived in fear due to their involvement in illegal crop cultivation.
Chukwuemeke added that residents in the community plan to venture into poultry farming to support their families.6
Another participant and women leader in Ifon, Ogeneya Bidemi, said the financial support would enable residents to transition into lawful occupations.
“The N10 million given to us is part of the N20 million promised to help us stop planting illegal crops and venture into legal farming,” she said.
In Eleyowo, youth leader Osabiku Godspower described the intervention as a long-awaited breakthrough for the community.
“This is a laudable programme. We have been working towards this for almost two years, and we are grateful that it has finally become a reality,” he said.
He added that the funds would be used to support farming activities and also assist in renovating the community’s health centre.
Another participant in the community, Oputeye Johnson, described the project as a major step toward eliminating illicit crop cultivation.
In Ilu-Abo, youth leader Ajayi Victor also praised the NDLEA for the intervention.
“We received N10 million to invest in legal farming instead of illegal plantations. If we use it well, we will receive another N10 million,” he said.
Also speaking, the women leader in Ilu-Abo, Mercy Paul, commended the agency for fulfilling its promise to the community.
The Hope
