Charcoal business has empowered our youths —Sabiganna

Oba Saliu Oyemonla Azeez, the Sabiganna of Igannaland, speaks on charcoal business in his kingdom. Excerpts:

When did charcoal business start in your kingdom?

Charcoal business began in Iganna Kingdom started earlier than in any other community in Iwajowa local government and Ibarapa area; it has been on for close to four decades ago.  In fact, it is on record that other communities in the local government and Ibarapa got their artisanship training in charcoal business in Iganna.  This informs why Iganna Kingdom was fast deforested earlier than any other community in the area

What are your plans for bringing in investors to expand the business?

Effort is now being geared towards inviting experts to start tree planting in the area. A non-governmental organisation on ecosystem based in Lagos came to Iganna Kingdom recently to enlighten those in charcoal business on better ways to do it and how to go about tree planting. As viable as the business is in Iganna, people could not maximally exploit the opportunity like before especially now that demand is high because there is shortage of trees in the zone in the recent times.

How has charcoal production affected your community?

The charcoal business has empowered the youths in Iganna and its environs economically

What does the future portend?

The business will thrive in the future if modern approach is employed and adequate attention is given to ecological management.

Aside charcoal, what else does Iganna have?

Charcoal business is as hereditary as cattle breeding and trading in my town. The massive settlement of Fulani herdsmen in my community has created business opportunities for my people in that business. This informs why Olorunda Cattle market was established to facilitate easy trading in the cattle business.

How do you intend to call attention to charcoal considering the magnitude of the production going on here?

I have been working round the clock to put Iganna Kingdom on the global map. A website: www.igannaland.com was built to showcase the resources and potentials of the kingdom to the outside world so as to attract investors. We are not relenting, our charcoal is internationally accepted and we will ensure that that is utilized to call attention to the town and bring about the desired developments especially in terms of infrastructure.