Women in Ilota, the Kwara State hometown of fuji legend, Kollington Ayinla, have projected their capacity in the production of shea butter, known as ori in Yoruba language.
According to them they can produce as much as two tonnes per week.
By this revelation, shea butter may just be to Ilota what dodo Ikire is to Ikire in Osun State.
Besides, it indicates that the town has given to Nigeria more than a fuji icon.
Mrs Shukurat Sheriff, the spokesperson of Ilota women in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara, made the revelation about the ori production in a statement signed by Mr Oluwadamilare Oluwagbamila, after the women’s interactive session with Mr Kayode Oyin-Zubair, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the state governor on Community Intervention, in Ilorin.
She commended the foresightedness of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to upscaling local trade and vocation, particularly those of comparative advantage.
“We don’t know how to do anything here other than Ori (shea butter); this is what our mothers have been doing from time immemorial.
“We are very proud of ourselves because we can produce two tonnes of Shea butter in a week.
“Some of us benefitted from the last micro grants disbursed through Kwara State Government by Aliko Dangote Foundation.
“We need more support to be able to upgrade our business.
“We also want you to get us off-takers. If we get off-takers there is no demand we can’t meet.
“We have never let anyone down in the past on our capacity to deliver on any tonnage,” she said.
Oyin-Zubair said the government was determined to bring development to all parts of the state through Community Driven Rural Development (CDRD).
“The desire of the governor for all parts of the State to witness development leaving no place behind.
“We have off-takers locally and abroad that are interested in what you do, they are willing to buy your products.
“We are working on a sustainable business model that will keep you in business while making better deals,” he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Osin-Zubair said the government had established relationships that could add value to what the women were doing.
He said the business acumen of the governor was really helping because he was more interested in lifting more people out of poverty through investments.
