Harnessing Supare’s Economic Potential

Harnessing Supare’s Economic Potential

Distinguished leaders, elders, youths, and good people of Supare,

Today 1st of October,2025  i used this piece to reflect on my recent visit to our Land between Oyinmo and Ose.

With a deep sense of responsibility and hope. Our beloved community, Supare, is blessed beyond measure. God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us fertile land—a land that is capable of producing not only food to sustain us but also wealth to elevate us. Our soil can nurture cocoa, kolanut, coffee, and other cash crops, in addition to supporting subsistence farming. But let me ask: have we truly harnessed these blessings for our collective prosperity? The answer, unfortunately, is no.

It is a painful reality that much of our farmland is being cultivated by neighboring communities. So much so that Supare land has come to be referred to as “Oko Oka”—meaning farmlands of Oka. Why? Because our brothers from Oka, living in a hilly terrain with little arable land, cherish every inch of soil they can find. They maximize the little they have. They cross over into our territory and farm it vigorously. Meanwhile, we—the true custodians of this land—too often underestimate its value, telling ourselves that the land is too vast for us to manage.

But history has taught us differently. Those among us who have seized the opportunity to till this land, to plant crops and nurture them, have reaped bountiful harvests. They have earned wealth, respect, and a legacy of hard work. This is proof that the key to Supare’s economic growth and independence lies in one word: agriculture.

My brothers and sisters, the way forward is clear.

We must embrace agriculture wholeheartedly. It is not a venture for a few—it is a collective calling.

We must understand that sitting idle at home, waiting for miracles or government jobs, is not the solution. The land beneath our feet is our greatest employer, our strongest investment, our surest path to empowerment.

We must wake up to the reality that farming is no longer just about tradition; it is about survival, progress, and prosperity.r Around the world, agriculture has created millionaires and transformed communities. Supare must not be left behind.

Imagine with me, a Supare where our youth are fully engaged in modern farming; where cooperative societies thrive; where processing industries for cocoa, kolanut, and coffee rise within our borders; where jobs are created, wealth is shared, and no family goes hungry. That Supare is not a dream—it is within our reach, if only we rise to the occasion.

Therefore, let us begin today. Let us unite as a people, determined to harness our God-given potential. Let us make Supare a hub of agricultural excellence in Akokoland and beyond. Together, we can move from being called “Oko Oka” to being celebrated as “Ilu Agbe,” the land of farmers who turned their soil into gold.

The time to act is now. May God bless our efforts, bless our land, and bless Supare.

Thank you.

Okedusi Adesoji Ben is the Chairman Supare Development Association Akure Branch writes from Akure.