The Governorship candidate of People Democratic Party (PDP) in the next Saturday election in Ondo state, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim (CFR) on Monday, vowed to return Idanre and IleOluji to the world number position in the production of cocoa.
Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim made the vow at the palace of Owa of Idanre land, Oba Fredrick Aroloye when his campaign trail hit the hilly town, adding that he was not happy with the level of neglect and under utilisation of the gifts of nature abundant in Idanre town.
“Kabiyesi, When my campaign trail drove into this ancient town, I felt so bad with the state of roads leading to the town and other township roads in the face of all these bogus hills the nature has blessed us with, and government over the years had failed to tap into the potentials of the fabulous hills around the town.
“The issue of cocoa production will be tackled with all vigour and passion by my administration because if Idanre and IleOluji cocoa productions alone received necessary attention, the output will doubled that of Ghana which is the second largest producer of cocoa beans in the whole world.
“In less than a year of our administration by God grace, your majesty, Ondo State will become number one producer of cocoa and it cake beans will be the world best. The process leading to this will massively improve the socioeconomic life in Idanre in particular and Ondo State in general,”.Dr. Jimoh stated.
He also promised to dualise the road leading into the ancient town, adding that it was very shameful that a hilly town such as Idanre has abundant depot of granites to tar all the roads in the entire state based on a barter agreement with a reputable construction company that will work on the hills by setting up quarry sites around the town.
In his response, Oba Aroloye prayed for the governorship hopeful success at the poll, urging him to exploit the bitumen deposits in Idanre and it environs.
Aroloye who anointed Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim as an industrious son of Idanre land, called for immediate revamping of the cocoa era as foreign exchange earns not only for the state, but the entire country.
He pleaded with the billionaire businessman to use his vast experience in the business world to revive the ailing economic condition of the state by tapping it natural resources such as timber, cocoa, bitumen, glass sand, ceramic and palm oil.
The campaign trail later moved to the palace of Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, Oba Olusegun Akinbola where a mammoth crowd had gathered to take a glance of the governorship candidate.
He also visited the Alara of Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore local government area of the state, Oba Ade Adefehinti in his palace before he went ahead to address a rally at the township square where he reeled out his programmes to the people.
The campaign trail had earlier visited the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Joseph Agunbiade in his palace and Ita-Ogbolu both in Akure North council area where the people of Ita-Ogbolu, the deputy governorship candidate, Ebenezer Alabi hometown came out in large numbers to give total support for the home boy.
On the campaign trail of the PDP gubernatorial candidate were; the deputy governor candidate, Ebenezer Omotayo Alabi; the state PDP chairman, Prince Biyi Poroye; director-general of JICO, Olabisi Johnson, Hon. Abiye Ademoyegun; Barrister Yomi Apata, executive director of NICON, Stephen Ojo and former caretaker chairman of Idanre LGA, Hon. Sola Akinuli;
