Ogun Commissioner Advocates Trust in NGO Partnerships

On Saturday, Bolu Owotomo, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, addressed attendees at the third biennial conference of the Encouragement Initiative Academy Alumni in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. He called on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to foster long-term, trust-based relationships rather than transactional partnerships.

Owotomo highlighted that the key takeaway from the conference, themed “From Transactional Request to Strategic Alliances,” was the necessity for NGOs to build enduring relationships that can span generations. He stressed that resources provided to NGOs must be utilized for their intended purposes without diversion.

Owotomo acknowledged the critical role of NGOs in national development, stating that the government alone cannot tackle all societal challenges. He praised the founders of the Encouragement Initiative, Dr Rotimiolu Akinlesi and Dr Bukunola Akinlesi, for their efforts in supporting vulnerable communities and emphasized the need for collaboration between NGOs and the government.