“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.” And the greatness of an organisation is largely dependent on the leadership. This is the story of Patrick Adebola, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the renowned Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), as he has shown his leadership prowess towards advancing the mandate of CRIN and revitalising the centre of excellence to what it has been known for in the Africa continent.

Upon assumption as the number one staff in CRIN, Adebola has been breaking grounds, most especially in the area of  training  and re-training of staff and farmers, which is speaking volume of his leadership aptitude.

In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Patrick Adebola disclosed the state of CRIN before he took over  the mantle of leadership, his achievements, and the plans ahead for the prestigious Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.

According to him, funding, just like every other Federal Government institution, had been a major challenge CRIN faced.

He revealed that the level of funding from the Federal Government had not been enough, considering the fact that the institution has about 1000 staff spread over 6 substations and the headquarters.

“Though the FG is trying its best, it is still not enough,” he stated.

However, finding solution to the funding challenge of the institute, the Executive Director of CRIN unveiled that the institute’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was improved on with the supports and cooperation of the staff.

He said “In order to supplement what we are receiving from the Federal Government, my administration looked at areas such as the revenue generating ventures which include the CRIN's bakery producing Cocoa bread, and some other Cocoa products like Cocoa cashew, cola and coffee. We deliberated on how we can commercialize them.

“Apart from that, we looked at how we can better serve the farmers in terms of giving them improved varieties of the crops that we were given mandates on.  How we can produce improved varieties of cocoa, improved varieties of cashew and improved varieties of cola, coffee and tea.

"We produce enough of these varieties and we sold to farmers which became part of the IGR to  the institute.”

Furthermore, it was stated that before the emergence of the incumbent Executive Director, CRIN has been an institute full of unions’ activities, hence, there had been series of rifts between the management and the unions.

However, “Since I came, I have been able to talk to the union and things as it is now seem stabilized. I can say that we have a good relationship with all the recognised unions in the house. That is one of my achievements within the short period of time I assumed the position of leadership,” CRIN Boss attested. 

Also, Adebola mentioned the issue of promotional arrears that were not paid to the staff before he came on board. Getting to know this, the Chief Executive Officer of CRIN moved swiftly to Abuja, met with relevant authorities and got the issue solved.

“2016/ 2017 promotional arrears were not paid to the staff. But since I came in, I moved swiftly to Abuja and met with relevant authorities there and the money was paid in December; everybody was happy.

“Since I came in, the promotion of staff was done as and when due. I made sure that the 2020 promotion was conducted as and when due. It was successful and the entire successful candidates had been given their promotion letter,” he noted.

 CEO of CRIN added that training of farmers has been another aspect his administration has made huge success on.

He said “We have been able to conduct several trainings especially on Cocoa and cashew for farmers. We also trained them on the safe use of pesticide and Agro-chemicals in general.”

Adebola’s administration has been able to get fund from the Federal government to refurbish the infrastructural facilities in the institute. 

He noted that his leadership already got the 2021 appropriation of funds which was double from what the cocoa institute got in the previous year by the Federal Government.

He admitted that the appropriation will be spent on boosting and enhancing the ongoing projects in the organisation.

“There are programmes we are already applying for in order to utilize the appropriation we got.

“There had been series of issues with natives on land. Graciously we have got enough funds from the Federal Government to fence the headquarters and the substations.

 “We are giving the headquarters a good fencing to protect our land and prevent further encroachments of it,” he stated.

He further disclosed that the appropriation would be used to equip the laboratories in the institute, noting the lab lacked necessary equipments before he became the head.

Aside this, the executive director revealed his plan to complete a-1000seaters hall, which is under construction.

“This administration looks forward to seeing the completion of the 1000 seaters hall, which will be used for events, and to host international conferences.  When this is achieved, it will in return add to the CRIN source of IGR.”

Among other plans for CRIN is the empowerment programme for the youths.

The CRIN’s executive director assured to organise more trainings for farmers, youth and women  to encourage more hands in the cocoa production.

The Executive Director used the opportunity to call on women and youths to consider venturing into cocoa plantation, adding that it is a lucrative business they will not regret.