Akure Summit: Expert Calls for Government Subsidies for Farmers
By Olusegun HOSEA
10th July, 2026
The grand finale of the Akure Speaking Communities Development Summit, with the theme: Building a Smart, Integrated and Prosperous Development Corridor, came to an end at the International Conference and Event Centre, The Dome, with experts calling for government subsidies for agricultural farm products for the betterment of the people of the state. The message was strongly advocated by the former Secretary to the Federal Government, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olu Falae, the Olu Abo of Akure Kingdom, who said it was imperative for the government to intensify its efforts in ensuring that subsidies were provided in the agricultural sector for the purpose of making foodstuffs available for all.
Furthermore, other participants also spoke extensively on the issue of insecurity, which had been a bane to farmers, the delegates were of the opinion that the government should combine both conventional security and the local intelligence of traditional methods to fight insecurity in order to make the environment safer for farmers and all residents. The different syndicate groups came with their reports and presented them to the entire house. The takeaway from their reports was that everyone should go back to the soil, while the government should ensure that security is provided for the people especially those producing food for the State
The sustainable transport system that would make transportation easier for the people should be well planned. The town should also be planned in such a way that all the local governments and the city are linked together for easy transportation. Also, the participants suggested the idea of leasing land, particularly to foreigners, for development rather than selling it outright. They also emphasised the need for good drainage systems for the purpose of controlling erosion and flooding in society.
The waste management agency should ensure that there are designated areas where people can dispose of their refuse for proper collection. The delegates also called on the government to ensure that the agency performs the responsibilities assigned to it, while public dustbins should be provided for proper refuse disposal. The new construction, according to the experts, should take care of the drainage system and ensure that flooding in some parts of the city is adequately addressed.
The Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, called for collaboration among the government, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to work together in order to combat insecurity for the progress of the state.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee Commodore Adewale Ogunmodede(RTD) called for unity among the three senatorial districts in Akure Kingdom for the development of the entire area. He said language is a powerful tool that unites people all over the world; therefore, since Akure people speak the same language, it is an added advantage that should be used in achieving the desired developmental goals of the communities through this common identity. He explained that after the summit, there would be a communiqué that would serve as a guide for the implementation of the resolutions of the summit for future reference. He also spoke on the short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans that the committee intends to achieve after the summit for the betterment of the Akure-speaking communities. Explaining further, the chairman said what they are looking forward to a smart city that would integrate all the communities together for the purpose of unity.
He maintained that joint efforts are being practised all over the world through initiatives such as Public-Private Partnerships in bringing development to communities, as the government alone cannot do everything. He called on external bodies to see the summit as investment-friendly. He also called for unity in advocating good initiatives for the progress of the styate.
The Youth Leader in Akure, Adekanbi Oluwatuyi said that the role of the youth in promoting peace and tranquillity is very sacrosanct, as the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. According to him, the strength of the youthful population is what they normally deploy in ensuring that people living in Akure are protected. He advised the youth not to be involved in any criminal activities that would tarnish the image of the good people of Akure and their families.
In another development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, an indigene of Akure, who spoke as one of the stakeholders, said that the focus of the summit was not about what the government is doing for the community but about how the sons and daughters of Akure could come together to promote communal development and unity among the Akure-speaking communities. He argued that there had been issues for decades among the three senatorial districts of the state and that the idea of the summit was to bring all the districts together for the development of the kingdom. Speaking further, Adeniyan said the purpose of the gathering was to assess the past and forge ahead with the development of the Akure-speaking communities. He condemned the idea of coming together every four years merely to plan who would become the Governor of the state, rather than advocating for the development of Akure through the collective efforts of the indigenes of the kingdom. While speaking, Adeniyan said they should not depend on the government all the time, as they also have a role to play in advancing the Akure-speaking communities. He noted that many Akure indigenes occupy high positions of authority at the state and federal levels, as well as in business, entertainment, and other sectors across the globe where Akure people have made significant impacts. He said Akure has abundant human resources capable of developing the kingdom and advised that his people should not focus solely on politics but on communal development.
