By John Dike, Osogbo
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate for Osun Central, Barrister Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, popularly known as K-RAD, has declared that agriculture and economic development would receive top priority under an APC administration in Osun State if the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), wins the August 8 governorship election.
He made the assertion while speaking at the Guest Platform programme organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, held at the NUJ Press Centre in Osogbo on Friday.
The legal luminary said the vast agricultural potential of Osun State remains largely untapped despite the abundance of fertile land capable of transforming the state’s economy, creating employment opportunities and boosting internally generated revenue.
According to him, agriculture remains one of the quickest and most sustainable pathways to economic prosperity, food security and poverty reduction, stressing that deliberate investment and strategic policies are required to unlock the enormous opportunities available in the sector.
He noted that many investors are willing to invest heavily in agriculture but are often discouraged by the challenges associated with land acquisition and ownership documentation.
Adegoke argued that state governments must take proactive steps to facilitate collaboration between investors and land-owning families by simplifying access to land while protecting the interests of indigenous landowners.
“There is no reason why our fertile lands should remain idle while people are looking for jobs and investors are looking for opportunities. Agriculture can become a major driver of economic growth if government creates the right environment for partnerships between investors and landowners,” he said.
The APC chieftain explained that one of the major obstacles confronting agricultural expansion is the high cost of land acquisition, which often discourages potential investors from embarking on large-scale farming projects.
According to him, governments should assist families in properly identifying, surveying and documenting their lands while providing affordable access to Certificates of Occupancy
He observed that many families possess large expanses of land but lack legal documentation that would enable them to attract investors, access financial support or maximize the economic value of their properties.
“Many families own land but do not have the necessary documents to prove ownership. Once government assists them in surveying those lands and obtaining Certificates of Occupancy, the lands acquire economic value and can be used to attract investment and generate wealth,” he stated.
Adegoke further advised against the outright sale of ancestral lands, describing land ownership as a critical component of African heritage that should be preserved for future generations.
Rather than selling family lands permanently, he proposed a mutually beneficial arrangement where investors would lease and cultivate the land while ownership remains with the families.
Under such a framework, he explained, investors would generate agricultural output, landowners would earn income from their properties, and government would benefit through increased revenue and economic activities.
“In our culture, land is a legacy handed down from generation to generation. We should not encourage families to dispose of their ancestral lands. Instead, government should facilitate arrangements where investors can use the land productively while families retain ownership and receive benefits from the proceeds,” he said.
The senior lawyer emphasized that such partnerships would stimulate economic activities in rural communities, create jobs for thousands of young people and reduce the level of poverty across the state.
He noted that unemployment remains one of the major factors fueling insecurity and social unrest, adding that large-scale agricultural investments could provide sustainable livelihoods for many residents.
According to him, revitalizing abandoned agricultural facilities and government-owned farm settlements would also contribute significantly to improving security in the state.
Adegoke lamented that many farm settlements established during the era of the departed sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, have been neglected and allowed to deteriorate over the years.
He described the development as unfortunate, noting that some of the abandoned facilities have reportedly become hideouts for criminal elements.
“We have several agricultural assets that have been abandoned. These facilities were established to drive economic development and food production. Reviving them will not only generate revenue but also help improve security and create employment opportunities for our people,” he said.
The APC senatorial candidate maintained that an APC-led administration under Oyebamiji would focus on reviving such economic assets and implementing policies capable of driving inclusive growth across all sectors.
He expressed confidence that with the right leadership and policies, Osun State could emerge as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs within a short period.
Adegoke also linked economic growth to improved welfare for citizens, stating that increased revenue generation would enable government to better cater to the needs of workers, students, artisans and other vulnerable groups.
“When government generates more revenue through productive investments, everyone benefits. Workers can be better paid, students can enjoy improved educational opportunities and social services can be strengthened. Agriculture offers enormous opportunities for achieving these goals,” he added.
On the political situation within the APC ahead of the governorship election, Adegoke dismissed concerns over recent resignations and reported disagreements involving some party members.
He described such developments as normal occurrences in democratic politics and expressed confidence that ongoing reconciliation efforts would address grievances raised by aggrieved members.
According to him, the APC remains united and focused on securing victory in the forthcoming governorship poll.
“In every political party, there will always be disagreements from time to time. Those expressing concerns are still our members and our brothers. Discussions are ongoing and we are optimistic that all issues will be resolved amicably,” .
The APC stalwart insisted that the party remains strong across the state and possesses the structure and grassroots support necessary to win the election.
He expressed confidence in the candidacy of Oyebamiji, describing him as a competent and experienced administrator capable of providing purposeful leadership for Osun State.
Adegoke therefore called on residents of the state to support the APC and its governorship candidate, assuring that an APC government would prioritize economic development, agricultural transformation and improved living standards for the people.
As political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the August governorship election, the APC’s emphasis on agriculture and economic revitalization is expected to feature prominently in its campaign strategy as parties intensify efforts to win the support of voters across Osun State.
