Governance

Ekiti Gov Inaugurates Boards of FHL, EKDIPA

By Web News 358

By Ayodeji Kazeem

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has inaugurated the Boards of Fountain Holdings Ltd (FHL) and Ekiti Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA) in a bid to reposition the state’s investment agencies. 

The inauguration, which took place at the Exco Chambers, Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, January 22, 2024, saw the appointment of professionals with a proven track record in investment and business management to help revitalize the state-owned companies.

In his address, Governor Oyebanji highlighted the importance of repositioning the investment agencies to accelerate the journey towards his administration’s shared prosperity. 

He praised the previous management for their efforts in turning around the moribund companies under their mandate and emphasized the need for the new boards to further build on this progress.

The governor expressed his ultimate dream of seeing Fountain Holdings become a major player in both the Ekiti business arena and Nigeria’s investment ecosystem. 

He emphasized the critical role of the Holdings in the state’s job and wealth creation mandate, stating that increased business operations would lead to direct returns in profits, taxes, and opportunities for job creation and economic growth.

The Ekiti state helmsman charged the new chairman of the board, Mr. Jide Ogundare, and the entire team to ensure that Fountain Holdings becomes a major source of profitable and taxable income for the state. 

He also urged the Holdings to expand its current portfolio, invest in businesses that address the needs of the people, and promote economic empowerment in line with the local content agenda.

The governor equally stressed the importance of synergy between Fountain Holdings Ltd and the Ekiti Development and Investment Promotion Agency, as both agencies share the common goal of promoting business opportunities for the benefit of the people of Ekiti. 

Oyebanji highlighted the need for EKDIPA to be more strategic and ambitious in attracting foreign and local direct investment to the state.

The governor expressed gratitude to the members of the newly inaugurated board for accepting to serve the state, assuring them of his support.

Responding on behalf of others, the reappointed chairman of the fountain holdings Mr Jide Ogundare assured the people of the state that they would serve with all their capacities in changing the business narratives in the state.

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Agriculture

L-PRES Project will create sustainable job opportunities and wealth – Oyebanji

By Web News 396

By Ayodeji Kazeem

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has emphasized his administration’s commitment to utilizing livestock and crop production to create sustainable job opportunities and wealth for the people of the state.

Governor Oyebanji stated this while inaugurating the Steering Committee of the Livestock Production and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project held at the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti.

The governor who expressed the government’s intention to maximize the project’s potential, highlighted its aim of improving productivity, commercialization of targeted livestock production systems, and enhancing the resilience of livelihoods, especially those affected by farmer-herder conflicts.

He explained that the L-PRES project is a World Bank-assisted initiative in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Mr Oyebanji noted that the initiative would restructure and upgrade poultry facilities at the Livestock Development Centre (LDC) Erifun, transform and create a livestock agribusiness centre, accommodate various livestock value chains, along with upgrading the central abattoir and cattle market along Iworoko Road to ensure public health and safety.

The governor further revealed plans are on to renovate and equip state veterinary hospitals with modern disease diagnostic kits and establish a modern cattle market, noting that these developments have potential as significant sources of revenue generation and job creation.

Emphasizing support for the project’s implementation, Governor Oyebanji articulated a strategy positioning the state as an attractive investment destination for agro-investors and foreign direct investment. 

He remarked that the establishment of the Ekiti Special Agro-Processing Zone, SAPZ, would serve as a catalyst for economic growth and foster improved investment opportunities.

Charging the committee to provide policy guidelines and strategic direction, the governor urged individuals, groups, cooperative societies, and investors along the livestock value chain to capitalize on this opportunity.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade expressed gratitude to the governor for his commitment to sustainable commercial animal agriculture. 

Mr Boluwade highlighted Ekiti State’s strategic input to the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, citing the state’s fulfilment of preliminary conditions and its esteemed profile among participating states.

He pointed out that Ekiti State fulfilled all preliminary conditions, including the payment of counterpart funds and the availability of over 100 hectares of land designated as the Livestock Development Centre before being considered for the project.

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