By Shakirat Lawal
The ongoing revival of the Okin Biscuits Factory in Ijagbo, in Kwara State, has rekindled hope among residents who see the reactivation of the once-thriving industry as an assured opportunity for jobs and renewed economic activity.
For 17 years, the factory had remained silent. Recently, it rolled out biscuits from its rehabilitated production line in what Okin Biscuits management described as a technical trial run.
The throaty roar of the production machines and the rebirthing of the culinary-delicacies is repositioning Ijagbo community onto the world trade map while reminding wholesalers, retailers, confectioners and wayfarers that their one-stop destination of nearly two decades ago has reawakened.
But beyond employment opportunities and other world-rate economic gains, the factory will expose the community to immense potentials locked within this gentle unobtrusive ancient town.
The factory has been significantly transformed. Noiselessly, modern machines run with silent determination to outdo each other on the production line. The machines work elegantly to complement reinforced steel, airy space, repackaging section all within the building structure of the house that they had known.
The building itself has now been covered in a new coat of cream and grey paints. At the exit point sat three new trucks waiting to upload the consignment of newly designed and repackaged biscuits.
Also Read: Kwara monarch dies in captivity after N18m ransom
As a subtle reminder to its glorious past, management has retained the old Okin Biscuits signboard but painted the factory gate in a sparkling grey colour.
Standing at the main entrance were three security men, a security woman and a guard dog. Residents of Ijagbo and contiguous communities have not ceased to marvel at the newly reborn Okin factory. No worker had been employed, said one of the security men.
At the palace of Onijagbo, Oba Sharafadeen Adeniyi Buari Babalola (Ilufemiloye I), citizens are enthusiastic to witness the rebirth of Okin Biscuits.
The Onijagbo’s palace houses his personal office. In the palace , is a waiting room and the secretary’s office situated just before the king’s. While waiting, our reporter met the National President of Ijagbo Youth Organisation, Lukman Alawode, and sounded him out on the implications of the newly revived Okin Biscuits factory.
No sooner had my discussions with Alawode ended than the secretary ushered me into the king’s office from the reception area where I had been sitting to await my turn.
Oba Babalola wore a white kaftan and sat alone on a high backed and comfortable chair. I made obeisance and listened to the king.
The monarch recalled that late Chief Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye’s Okin Biscuits factory was established in 1980 and had a significantly positive impact on Ijagbo but its prolonged shutdown created a palor on the community.
For about two decades, it took away the business-life because like an artery of the human body, it symbolises the lifeline of small and medium scale businesses; promoting trade in goods and services.
Speaking in a low, forlorn tone, the royal father noted that staff, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, travellers as well as wayfarers and even elementary school children became downcast because the shutdown affected them.
From some, it took livelihood, from others, it took away their favourite confectionaries. Ijagbo, her neighbours, communities and the economy of the wider southern part of Kwara felt deprived.
“I, myself approached the Adesoye family and personally pushed that the factory be revived so that production line can breath life into trade and commerce in this town,” said the Onijagbo.
The Adesoyes immediately commenced the revival-process.
For the Onijagbo, the return of Okin Biscuits represents more than reopening an old factory. It is an opportunity for the community to attract new investments and rebuild its industrial base.
Leveraging the community’s peaceful nature and the availability of affordable land, good roads, water and electricity as factors that could support investment the king has lent his voice to inviting prospective investors to Ijagbo .
Late Chief Adesoye, an industrialist, educationist and traditional titleholder from Offa established Okin Biscuits Industry on June 2, 1980, in Ijagbo .
From the late 1980s to the early 2000s, Okin became a notable indigenous brand in Nigeria’s confectionery industry. Its popular products include Okin Shortcake, Okin Cabin and Okin Digestive biscuits.
Unfortunately, global economic downturn, unfavourable market forces and policy somersault of the late 2000s negatively affected production and eventually led to the factory’s prolonged silence.
Okin Biscuits factory revival therefore represents more than the return of a past economic and business glory for residents of Ijagbo. For a community that watched industries disappear over the years, the revival offers more than the possibility of jobs, business opportunities and renewed economic activity. It is an assured lifeline.
Ijagbo used to be home to Noble Breweries also owned by Chief Adesoye. The community’s industrial history forms part of a wider story of industries that once contributed to Kwara State’s economy but later became moribund.
It is not only the machines that would be reawakened, the emerging biscuits will bring a newer and more enduring chapter to the community’s industrial history.
Seeing Okin Biscuits would soon become a regular sight, signalling the full return of recovery and hope; life and living to people of Ijagbo.
Crediblenewsng.com
