Oyebanji Seeks US Partnership on Economic Growth, Cocoa Development

Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has solicited the support of and partnership with the United States of America in developing the critical economic sectors of the state to achieve his administration’s shared prosperity agenda.

Specifically, Ekiti State, according to Governor Oyebanji was desirous of the American government’s support for its Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on cocoa development as well as a collaboration between the state’s knowledge zone and US technology hub, the Silicon Valley.

Governor Oyebanji, who disclosed these in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday during a meeting with a team from American Embassy led by the Charge d’Affaires, David Green, said the state would explore the American expertise, resources, and investment as a progressive partner in the areas of economy, security, climate change and innovations, among others.

The Ekiti State governor at the meeting which was attended by the Consul General of the American Embassy, William Stevens; Chairman of CAVISTA Holdings, who is also the Chairman of Corporate Council on Africa, John Olajide and some top embassy officials, thanked the American Government for the support the state had received in its agriculture development drive, especially the Ikun Dairy Farm.

He explained that the collaboration was expected to strengthen the state’s economy, create jobs, and enhance quality of life of her citizens.

Stressing that productivity remained the watchword in his administration’s economic drive, Governor Oyebanji said any state that desired growth must be productive.

“If a state must prosper, that state must work on productivity and for productivity to happen, there must be collaboration with the private sector.”, he added.

The governor highlighted areas of collaboration with the United States to include support in the agriculture sector, Ekiti Knowledge Zone, youth and women empowerment, art and culture, climate change, healthcare, renewable energy, and investment promotion, among others.

The governor, who expressed confidence that the collaborations would also unlock opportunities for advancement within the state, said his government was committed to driving economic prosperity and improving the standard of living of the citizens.

The governor assured that his government would continue to provide enabling environment for the private sector with the aim of turning the state into production hub, thereby growing the economy of the state

“The state thank you for your support and investment on Ikun Dairy Farm. Ikun is a game changer, they have done so well, but they can do better, so we will be looking for support at feed formulation and artificial examination because that will solve the foreign exchange problem”, the governor said.

Earlier in his remark, the Charge d’Affaires, David Green, expressed the readiness of the United States government to work with Ekiti State government to achieve its economic growth, adding that the embassy would identify potential areas of development where the US could lend a hand in enhancing the state’s economic performance.

The ambassador assured the governor that the United States government was keen on ways to foster fruitful collaboration with the state government, especially in the fields of agriculture, health, and knowledge economy, among others.

He promised to further the discussion with relevant agencies of the state government.

Other top officials at the meeting included the Speaker of House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adeoye Aribasoye; Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Bolaji Olagbaju; the Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Engr Sunday Komolafe; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade; Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani; Special Adviser on Governance, Hon Odunayo Ayeni and Director-General, Ekiti Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA), Mrs Lolade Olutola.

The embassy’s team included Foreign Agriculture Counsellor, Chris Bielecki; Deputy Political and Economic Chief, Kenise Hill; Political Specialist, Mayowa Obilade; Foreign Agricultural Specialist, and Tolani Abegunde among others.

The team proceeded on an inspection of the Agbeyewa Farms and other agricultural investments in the state shortly after the meeting.