By Mike Adeyemi
Kaiama Shea Butter processing industry will empower about 500,000 women in rural communities in Kwara State, towards the realization of the proposed planting of one million shea trees across state.
The Chairman of the company, Mr Temitope Amujo disclosed this in a chat with Pilot Business yesterday.
According to him, the state Government in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency has provided an enabling environment for the take off of the company in the state.
“We launched the Save-the –Shea campaign with the sole mandate of planting one million shea trees, empower 500,000 women in rural communities, achieve zero poverty in Kwara and ensure safe climate.
“To achieve this, we have acquired land in Kaiama Local Government Area to establish the first commercial shea plantation in Kwara State and develop the first Shea Hub called Kaiama Shea Hub (KaSH).”
Amujo said the specific vision of the company is to create a minimum of 300 local jobs and attract foreign investment in shea value chain development to the state.
“We recently discovered that the shea tree is one of the endangered species that is seriously affected by deforestation activities because of its high quality for charcoal production.
“Our major target now is to discourage cutting of shea trees for Charcoal production, plant new trees and establish another shea hub in Kaiama LGA.”
He noted that about N30 million has so far been injected into the company with N12 million in grant, N10 million sources from private investment and N8 million liability.
“On Sunday, 12th August 2018, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed received our product officially. All our products are made in Kwara State and they includes; Jimpo-Ori (R) Baby Care cream, Jimpo-Ori (R) Head to Toe family cream, Jimpo-Ori(R) Shea Massager, Jimpo-Ori(R) Baby Skin Kit and Jimpo-Ori(R) Natural Exfoliate Black Soap.”
Recall, that the Kaiama Shea Butter processing plant was establish in 2014 in Kwara State with the support of the Federal Government and International organizations like Tony Elumelu Foundation, and President Obama Yali Foundation.
