OGSTEP Strengthens Institutional Capacity of OSALMA through FRILIA Workshop

The Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), under the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA) component of its Agriculture Sector, has organised a capacity building workshop on the operationalisation and management framework of the Ogun State Agricultural Land Management Agency (OSALMA).

Declaring the five-day workshop open, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, described the training as being in line with the vision of the Ogun State Governor to position the state as an investors’ destination of choice.

 He noted that Ogun State has consistently remained a trailblazer in several initiatives and would equally set the pace in the implementation of FRILIA, with other states expected to learn from its experience.

The Commissioner further explained that the Ogun State Government, through OGSTEP, is not only supporting farmers with inputs and mechanisation but is also investing in building intellectual and institutional capacity to ensure sustainability. 

He  hinted that efforts are in top gear to ensure the passage of the FRILIA Bill into law at the Ogun State House of Assembly expressing optimism that participants would emerge as better managers and custodians of the FRILIA principles.

Speaking on the objectives of the training, the Project Coordinator of OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi, said the workshop was designed to equip OSALMA staff with the operational, technical and safeguard skills required for transparent, inclusive and responsible agricultural land management. According to her, the training will also promote inter-agency collaboration, compliance with World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), as well as foster ethical practices, gender equity and social inclusion in land-based investments.

Also speaking, the FRILIA Specialist, Olootu Oladipupo Sofowora, emphasized the importance of exposing the pioneering staff of OSALMA to the rudiments of FRILIA implementation, noting that a proper understanding of the framework is critical to attracting investors and driving sustainable economic development in Ogun State. 

In her welcome address, the Project Manager, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluseyi Olugbire, expressed appreciation to the Ogun State Government and the leadership of OGSTEP for the initiative. She encouraged participants to learn, unlearn and relearn in order to sustain the legacies of OGSTEP, particularly as the project prepares to wind down its interventions.

On his part, the facilitator, Prof. Kehinde Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Katty Environmental Services Limited, explained that all departments involved in land administration must be well grounded in FRILIA principles, especially as Ogun State is championing the initiative nationally. He noted that participants would be taken through institutional relationships necessary for transparent and accountable agricultural land governance, responsible private sector participation, survey and mapping processes, fair valuation, as well as the development of sustainability plans for OSALMA.

One of the participants, Estate Surveyor Adegoke Ogunrounmu, described the training as an eye-opener, noting that it would significantly change his orientation as well as that of his colleagues towards responsible and inclusive agricultural land management.