We Need Your Financial Assistance - Rubber Industry To Obasanjo

In resolving the challenges facing the rubber industry in Nigeria, the National Rubber Producers, Processors and Marketing Association of Nigeria in Osun State has sought the support of the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

A life crocodile was presented to Obasanjo shortly after a closed-door meeting with him at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State by the members of the association led by the chairman, Evangelist Oluwatosin Jeremiah.

According to Jeremiah, funding and land are the major challenges in the industry.

He explained that due to the six years gestation period of rubber, many commercial banks were not  ready to give financial help, thereby making funds a heavy task.

“Rubber will take six years before you start reaping the benefits.

"So, because of that gestation period commercial banks are running away from it.

"This has made it difficult for rubber to thrive in Nigeria.

“We have discovered that Baba (referring to Obasanjo) recognised rubber and knows its importance to the sinking Nigerian economy, that’s why we came to seek his help.

"How do we raise money to develop rubber industry?

“Baba responded and he is ready to help,” he said.

When asked why the choice of crocodile as a present to Obasanjo, he responded, “We can’t give him money, that’s why we settled for this and you can see how he received and valued it.”

Obasanjo  immediately handed over the crocodile to the Wildlife Curator at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife park, Oluwadamilare Ajayi

Ajayi appreciated the association’s gesture and called on stakeholders to help in the preservation and conservation of the wildlife for the future generation.

“I must appreciate them. It’s a good gesture.

"This is what we want and also pray for other people, and encourage them to know that every wildlife isn’t bush meat and not all wildlife you capture should end in the pot of soup.

“The campaign of the facility like us is to ensure that animals are preserved and conserved for the future generations to be able to come and see.

“There are so many animals that out of wanting to eat and eat, some of them are not very available in the forest.

"So, we appreciate them and we also encourage others that not all animals must end in the pot of soup.”