The Ogun State House of Assembly has called for the immediate revitalisation of Apoje Farms in Ijebu-Igbo as part of a wider review of farm settlements, government plantations, and forest reserves across the state.
The resolution followed debate on a motion sponsored by Hon. Rasheed Kashamu (Ijebu North I), titled “Need for the Revamp of Apoje Farms and Comprehensive Review of Farm Settlements Management in Ogun State.” The motion, seconded by Hon. Olakunle Sobukanla, was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.
Hon. Kashamu described Apoje Farms as “a once-thriving hub for oil palm, citrus, and other crops,” noting that restoring the facility would boost food production, support the state’s agricultural growth plans, and improve internally generated revenue. He urged the Assembly to push for infrastructure upgrades, the adoption of modern farming techniques, and strategic public-private partnerships to revive commercial operations.
He also proposed integrating Apoje Farms into the State Agricultural Master Plan, expanding activities to include livestock, aquaculture, processing centres, and agro-tourism under a sustainable and accountable management system.
Other lawmakers—including former Speaker Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye, and Hon. Oluseun Adesanya, Babatunde Tella, Haruna Egungbohun, Damilare Bello, and Adegoke Adeyanju—supported the call. They stressed the need to revive farm settlements to tackle food insecurity, strengthen the economy, and prevent encroachment by real estate developers on government-acquired lands.
The Assembly directed the Commissioner for Agriculture, Bolu Owootomo; the Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun; and the General Manager of the Agricultural Development Corporation to appear before it on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, to provide updates on the management of farm settlements and state plantations.
Assembly probes waste discharge from Free Trade Zone
In a related development, the House Committee on Environment has called for immediate action to address wastewater discharge from the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
An oversight visit led by Committee Chairman, Assemblyman Samsudeen Lawal—alongside Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye and Assemblyman Adebisi Oyedele—followed a petition from the Igbesa Central Community Development Association. The petition alleged that industrial effluent was being channelled into the community, damaging farmlands, killing livestock, and affecting homes.
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During the inspection, the Committee assessed the canal receiving the waste and observed ongoing swamp dredging and decontamination efforts aimed at mitigating the damage.
Community leaders, including Pastor Amos Adeoye (Chairman), Secretary Bankole Yusuf, and Alhaji Sadiq Animashaun Ganiu Bankole, expressed deep concern, describing the pollution as a threat to residents’ health and livelihoods.
Reaffirming an earlier resolution, the Committee directed the Free Trade Zone management to install a functional effluent treatment plant and construct concrete water channels to prevent further environmental degradation and protect the host community.
