By: Lanre Shodimu
In Eleyowo Community, Ondo State, a quiet transformation is taking place as families once dependent on illicit cannabis cultivation embrace legitimate agriculture. Through a partnership between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Flight Lieutenant Ohai Prosper Idonije Foundation (FLPOIF), rural women are emerging as key agents of change, helping to steer their households away from illegal activities and towards sustainable livelihoods.
Women in Eleyowo Community, Ondo State, have been enlisted as frontline advocates in the fight against illicit drug cultivation, as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Flight Lieutenant Ohai Prosper Idonije Foundation (FLPOIF) intensify efforts to promote legal and sustainable farming practices.
At a sensitisation programme held in the community on Friday, the organisations urged women to leverage their influence within the family to discourage husbands, sons and brothers from returning to the cultivation of Indian hemp and other illicit crops.
The intervention forms part of the NDLEA Alternative Development Programme, an initiative designed to provide viable agricultural alternatives for communities previously dependent on illegal drug farming as a source of livelihood.
For years, illicit cannabis cultivation served as an underground economic activity in parts of Ondo State, offering quick returns despite the risks associated with law enforcement operations and criminal exploitation. However, officials say communities participating in the alternative development initiative are beginning to witness the social and economic benefits of lawful farming.
Speaking during the programme, the Head of the Alternative Development Unit of the NDLEA in Ondo State, Julius Oyebode, commended Eleyowo residents for their commitment to the project.
He noted that among the communities participating in the programme, Eleyowo had demonstrated remarkable cooperation and progress.
According to him, women occupy a strategic position in the family structure and can significantly influence decisions that determine whether households embrace positive change or revert to harmful practices.
Oyebode acknowledged the economic difficulties that often accompany the transition away from illicit farming but encouraged residents to remain patient, assuring them that long-term benefits would outweigh the temporary hardships.
The State Coordinator of FLPOIF, Aizohi Gbadamosi, explained that the foundation deliberately focused on women because of their critical role in sustaining peace, stability and lawful economic activities within their homes.
She observed that many families are currently facing financial challenges because legitimate crops have not yet reached harvest stage, making the temptation to return to illicit cultivation particularly strong.
Gbadamosi appealed to the women not to pressure their husbands or children into resuming illegal activities, stressing that the success of the project depends on collective commitment and adherence to the guidelines established by the NDLEA.
Describing the initiative as a pioneering effort in Nigeria, she assured residents that the foundation would continue to provide support to ensure its sustainability.
The traditional ruler of Eleyowo, Oba Adesina Agunbiade, praised the programme, describing it as a turning point for the community.
According to the monarch, the intervention has already contributed to restoring peace and improving livelihoods. He pointed to the success of the poultry project and the progress recorded on local pepper farms as evidence that legal agricultural ventures can provide meaningful economic opportunities.
He also appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to extend future empowerment programmes to farmers in the community to further strengthen the gains already achieved.
Perhaps the strongest testimony came from community members themselves, many of whom recounted the hardships associated with illicit farming.
One resident, Maria Samuel, recalled living in constant fear while her husband was involved in the illegal trade. She said families often faced uncertainty, exploitation and the threat of law enforcement operations, leaving them with little peace despite the financial expectations associated with the business.
According to her, the family now enjoys greater stability and peace of mind after abandoning illicit cultivation, adding that she would continue encouraging her husband to remain committed to legitimate farming.
Another resident, Gladys Joseph, expressed appreciation to the NDLEA for the support provided during the farming season, noting that the programme had eliminated the fear and anxiety that once characterised life in the community.
Similarly, Maryam Umaru described the initiative as a source of renewed hope, saying it had brought peace and optimism to many families.
The testimonies underscore a broader reality: while illicit drug cultivation may offer short-term financial gains, sustainable agricultural development can deliver something equally valuable—security, dignity and peace.
As the planting season progresses, women in Eleyowo are proving that lasting change often begins at home, where their influence can help shape decisions that strengthen families and build more resilient communities.
