O-BEEF solution to unemployment, dwindling revenue – Aregbesola

The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday reiterated the commitment of his administration to more development initiatives that will not only create jobs for the mass of unemployed youths but also open up fresh sources of revenues.
Aregbesola, while explaining the major rationale behind the establishment of the O-BEEF project in the state, said growing unemployment and the fast dwindling national resources represented potent threats to peace.
He said these were some of the reasons for the introduction of the Osun Cattle Hub, tagged O-BEEF.
A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Aregbesola as encouraging the Nigerian youth to consider many of the fresh initiatives in agriculture as a major solution to the problem of unemployment.
The Governor was quoted as saying, “Tagged O’Beef, an acronym of Osun Beef Production, the establishment of the beef industry is for the purpose of agricultural development, self-reliance in food production as well as creation of economic bases and plethora of job opportunities for the people of the state.
“In other words, the rationale behind the establishment of a cattle ranch at the Oloba Farm Settlement, Iwo, was primarily targeted at boosting agriculture, meat and food production, food processing and mass agro-based employment, abattoir service, mass cattle and ram production for the ever-growing food, meat as well as beverage industries.”
The statement quoted the governor as urging youths to look inwards for solutions to the unemployment predicament, saying that those who embrace agricultural initiatives would have no reasons to regret their choices.
He added: “Yes, we know that the only attractions for many of our youth these days are the offices.
“But the sad reality is that these jobs are not forthcoming and the ones existing are disappearing.
“Conversely, we are producing graduates at an alarming rate in the country.
“Where do we expect all of them to go if we do not come up with schemes such as O-BEEF and others that will not only provide mass of jobs but also substantially shore up our revenue?”
Aregbesola said it took his administration rigorous brainstorming, research findings to come up with the statistics of beef consumption, sourcing for the animals and the abundant opportunities in that sub-sector.
The governor also urged other leaders across the country to examine the natural opportunities in their respective areas of jurisdictions with a view to coming up with schemes that will tap into the potentials.
He added: “We have a national problem at hand and the only thing leaders can do is to objectively look at the areas hitherto ignored in their areas. What efforts do the governments need to put in and what gains lie in them. If we cannot do these, we are doomed as a country.”
The governor further said on the O-BEEF project: “We have acquired and we are developing hundreds of hectares of land into grazing reserves, cattle markets, breeding centres, and fattening hubs.
“This will be in addition to the new central abattoirs that we are developing in selected towns across the state.
“All in all, we need no economic soothsayers to tell us that the creation of this single cattle ranch has multiplier economic effects and is one capable of developing other sectors of the economy.
“A critical assessment told us that when fully in operation, the ranch would create a minimum of 55, 000 employment opportunities in agriculture and agro-business alone.”
The governor also explained that thousands would be employed in animal rearing; thousands will be engaged in cow fattening; thousands more in animal feeds, modern abattoir services, cross breeding and veterinary services.
Besides, individuals, private farms as well as small scale industries will spring up apart from food processing, food packaging and haulage services.