Stories by Princewill Ekwujuru

Overtime, companies’ financial contribution to Corporate  Social Investment , CSI  had hit billions of Naira, and because they have  lots of power in the community and in the national economy they control lots of assets, and  sometimes have billions in cash at their disposal for socially conscious investments and program.

Whilst devoting real time and money to environmental sustainability programs, alternative energy/cleantech, deforestation and various social welfare initiatives that benefit employees, customers, and the community where they operate, their social impact cannot be over-looked.

Based on this,   the passage of non smoking tobacco bill  the Lagos State House of Assembly to ban smoking in public places  is being  viewed by tobacco farmers as an attempt to deprive them of their lively hood, thus it may be dangerous  if other states follow suit,  a trend they  described as unpalatable for the economy.

Even though British American Tobacco  Iseyin Agronomy, BATIA welcomed the non smoking law expected to take full effect in six months time seems not to dample the zeal exhibited by the farmers when  visited at their  farmers at Olugbade, in Iseyin, Oyo state.

The farmers who debunked the claim by some anti tobacco agencies that they are engaged in child labour said they only use their children during the holidays.  “BATIA does not allude  to such issue,” said Mr. Rasheed Bakare, Chairman Nigeria Independent Tobacco Farmers Association, NITFA, Ilua Chapter.

Continuing, Bakare said,  “in Africa it is the norm for children to help their parents in whatever chore.”  The argument was further expanded when some of the farmers said BATIA grants scholarships to their children,  how then could they turn around to advise us to  use our children as labourers, he retorted.

On the other hand, claims by anti tobacco agencies on the environmental impact of tree felling by the farmers. BATIA through Mr. Thomas Omoyele, Head Leaf Operations, BATIA, Iseyin Agronomy, said annually from 2009 to 2013, the company planted 349,853 Malina and  450 timbers (Teak) trees which are used by the farmer for  smoking the tobacco leaves, away to discourage deforestation.

The farmers also claimed the company had advised them to plant trees as a kind of retirement benefit if they are not strong enough to farm.

The idea by the company to secure non interest loan for the farmers to buy tractors shows the investment plan by the company to improve the local farming condition of the farmers, like Ahmed Mustapha, a tractor owner said: “The money I used in buying the tractor  was sourced from the bank without interest, and  with flexible repayment plan spread over  four years.”

The company has also invested in partnering with government agencies in the likes of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, Agricultural and Management Training Institute, ARMTI, Rights Initiative for All, RIFA, and the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC,  for corpers  who are  interested in farming.

On his part, Chief Emmanuel Egbeyale, a member of  NITFA, in Oke- Ogun, said that  if government places ban on tobacco smoking which will eventually affect tobacco farming, where are the industries where we would work, he queried.

Continuing, he queried why can’t  government stop brewery companies from producing beer, “beers are  dangerous to health as tobacco is claimed to be.