She went to the maiden edition of Afe Babalola Food Security Expo, ABAFEX 2015, held October 5 to 9 at Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti, as just any other farmer but went home a millionaire. That’s the story of 48-year-old Mrs. Mojisade Ojo, who beamed with smiles as she clutched her cheque, her husband by her side. 

To emerge as the best farmer at the event, Mrs. Mojisade Ojo beat 16 other farmers from various local government areas of Ekiti State, who shared the total sum of N4 million.

Mrs. Ojo recalled how she was discouraged by her friends but summoned the courage to go into farming after losing her plum job 11 years ago. She said she least expect to win the prize, particularly owing to African idiosyncrasies of women in certain male-dominated vocations, among them farming.  

Asked how she will use the prize money, the elated mother of three confided that her primary focus is helping other women to realise the importance of agriculture. “I’m lost for words right now but I think I will like to buy a tractor to help me expand the farm, so I can help other women secure a source of livelihood,” she said.

Speaking with journalists, the Event Protocol Officer, Sola Jegede, expressed appiness that “despite skepticism over the scale of the event and earlier doubt over the N5 million prize money came to reality.”

The Founder and Chairman of AB Foundation, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), proprietor of Afe Babalola University and major sponsor of ABAFEX, advised farmers to justify the trust reposed on them by doing more to ensure food security in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Over 43 exhibitors were at the event, among then Union Bank Plc, Bank of Industry, the Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme, Nigeria Farmers Congress, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Technology Incubation Centre, and Bank of Agriculture, amongst others.

News Express reports that the exhibition was declared opened by the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose. It was graced by important personalities such Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Obas, His Royal Highness, Oba Samuel Oladapo Oyebade; His Royal Majesty, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, Ewi of Ado Ekiti; Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, Acting Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Michael Ajisafe, delegates from the Farmers Congress  of Nigeria; youth interest groups and other civil society groups.