The elected National Working Committee of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, CFAN have taken their oath of office with a promise to serve diligently.
The exercise took place in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, on Thursday.
The executives are Mr. Adeola Adegoke, President, Elder Olagunju Aina as Deputy President, Comrade Agbor Bassey as National Secretary, Tiamiyu Musa as National Ass. Sec, Dr. S. Williams as National Treasurer Oloyede Ezekiel as National Fin Sec.
Others are Raji Sarafa Ariyo as National Ass. Fin Sec, Deacon Makanjuola Akinyele as National PRO, Sharafa Ife Olayemi as National Org Sec, Uche Mmeregini as National Ass Org Sec, Raji Musa Akanni as National Auditor I and Qazeem Tijani as National Auditor II.
Addressing the gathering the National President of CFAN, Comrade Adeola Adegoke congratulated Tinubu on his inauguration as President, while calling on the APC-led administration to enforce policies that would affect Cocoa production and processing positively.
Comrade Adegoke identified the major challenge of the Association to the total deregulation of Cocoa economy in Nigeria.
He noted that the deregulation had subjected the country to be producing about 340,000 metric tons of Cocoa where Ghana and of Ivory Coast produce 1.2m metric tons and 2.5m metric tons, respectively.
While rolling out some of his achievements during his first term, adegoke said his administration built a National Secretariat of CFAN known as CFAN HOUSE, The investiture of Ooni of Ife as the CFAN Grand Patron, Streamline of the Association’s authentication at the Corporate Affairs Commission, among others.
Speaking on the occassion, President of the United State of America, Joe Biden has called on President Bola Tinubu to invest in cocoa production, processing and exportation as part of his bid to boost the nation’s economy.
According to the US president, exportation of Cocoa to US form Nigeria and other African countries has been made free, hence Nigeria should take such opportunity to enhance it’s cocoa production.
Biden, represented by member of hid Advisory Council on the Ease of Doing Business in Africa, Franklin Amao, noted that America is working assiduously towards providing Investment fund for Nigeria.
He added that the US had implemented an act known as ‘African Growth and Opportunities Act’ which will allow products coming from Africa into America on free waybill.
In his words, “The US is interested in seeing more private sectors involved in US Companies to engage with the Nigeria economy in particular.
“I want Nigerians to be aware of the African Growth and Opportunities Act which allows products coming from Africa into the UN duly free.” He said
On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, represented by Asanya of Isanya Kingdom, Oba Muraina Adedina, also called on the Federal Government to partner CFAN in order to achieve more for the improvement of the economy.
Earlier in his remark, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji represented by Director of Tree Crops, Ekiti State Ministry of Agric and Food Security and Food Security, Alao Olutope restated government’s commitment to supporting cocoa farmers towards ensuring improved export rate and benefits.
