The Chairman of TITAN Farms Limited, Aare Olatunbosun Eyiolawi, has expressed confidence that with full operations of railway transportation in Nigeria, the price of rice would soon fall.
The businessman explained that drop in logistics would have an impressive bearing on the cost of rice production nationwide.
Eyiolawi spoke at the Mauve 21 Event Centre, Ibadan while featuring on a media interactive programme organised by the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria in Oyo State, tagged, ‘Time out with broadcasters.’
According to him, better days are coming for rice consumers in the country with impending price slash.
The event, which was chaired by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Raufu Olaniyan, was graced by other notable personalities in the state, including the President of the Market Men and Women Association of Oyo State, Alhaji Sunmaila Jimoh, who doubles as the President of Rice Sellers Association in the state; the Iyaloja of Oyo State, Alhaja Saratu Konibaje; the Iyaloja General of Ibadanland, Alhaja Sariat Ojikutu Olorunero; and the Public Relations Officer of Bodija Market, Sulaiman Ileomo.
Other top dignitaries in attendance are Alhaji Olalomi Amole and Mogaji Kola Oolotu, who were both former chairmen of FIBAN in the state; the Matron of FIBAN in Oyo State, Amb. Romoke Ayinde; an elder of the association, Mr. Akinboade Ologbojo; and Yinka Agboola, Publisher of ParrotXtra Magazine among others.
In his address, the Chairman of FIBAN in the state, Pastor Seun Awodele, said, “We are all aware of the growing food crisis associated with insecurity and hostilities. Thus, it is timely that this meeting will enable the media to speak with the guest speaker to discuss critical issues and the prospect of tackling this escalating problem.”
The TITAN boss, whose keynote address was titled, ‘Food security: The challenges of rice farming and milling in Nigeria,’ said, “Coincidentally, the railway terminal in Moniya, Ibadan is just five minutes drive from our factory in Ibadan, so there will be lots of drop in expenses on logistics to security and insurance. Definitely, the price of rice will drop soon.”
While explaining how insecurity in the land is affecting farming business, he said the menace rocking the country cut across all sectors and not limited to farming. “We spend so much on transporting our materials from the northern part of the country down here by way of securing wares through insurance due to the insecurity in the country.
“That is why we are commending the Federal Government in the area of transportation over restoration of the rail system. There will be drop in price because we don’t pay out any more. What we need to do is to get our raw materials down here via the railway.
“If you want to make something happen, especially in this country, you must be ready to do the unusual. We did the unusual by making sure we took over the public space. We take publicity seriously and beyond just putting adverts out there, we matched it with premium quality. It is one thing to advertise and another thing to have the products.”
FIBAN Award was presented to the Chief Executive Officer of TITAN Farms by the deputy governor of Oyo State on the occasion.
