Ekiti: Gov Oyebanji Seeks US Partnership In Economic Growth, Cocoa Development

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has highlighted critical areas where the state would require the support of the United States of America, (USA).

Specifically, Ekiti State, according to Governor Oyebanji is 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, disclosed these in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday during a meeting with a team from American Embassy led by the Charge d’Affaires, David Green.

The governor emphasized that state would explore the American expertise, resources, and investment as a progressive partner in the areas of economy, security, climate change, innovations, among others.

The 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, Mr John Olajide; and some top embassy officials, thanked the American Government for the support the state has received in its agriculture development drive, especially the Ikun Diary Farm.

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

Governor Oyebanji said any state that desires growth must be productive stressing that “If a state must prosper, that state must work on productivity and for productivity to happen there must be collaboration with the private sector.”

Other areas of US support include the Youth and women empowerment, art and culture, climate change, health care, renewable energy, and investment promotion, among others.

“The State thank you for your support and investment 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.”

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

The Ambassador assured the Governor that the United States government is keen on ways to foster fruitful collaboration with the state government especially in the fields of Agriculture, health, knowledge economy, among others.

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