Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has called on Ekiti indigenes in diaspora to collaborate more with the state government in bringing about social and economic development in the State.
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Tolu Ibitola made the statement in Ado Ekiti shortly after receiving a 30-HPlaptop donated to Ekiti State House of Assembly by the Agbeyewa group, an organization founded by an Ekiti indigene based in the United States.
In his response to the plans of the Agbeyewa to establish a 16 Million dollars factory and other agricultural projects in the State, Governor Fayemi said the initiative would no doubt open up the state to job opportunities along the value chain system and improve the economic situation of the State.
He further commended the group for the timely donations of the laptops which he said would enhance the digitalization process of the State House of Assembly.
“I am happy that the initiatives that you have are going to open up opportunities for our people in terms of job creation, value chain system and improve the social environment of the people. I am sure the economic advantage of your coming into Ekiti State is immense.
“I will use this opportunity once again to encourage other individuals who are home and abroad to copy from your kind and good move to remember home and find out ways to collaborate with us to ensure that we can move Ekiti forward.
“I will like to appreciate member s of the assembly for at least ensuring that their processes arenow digitalized, by utilizing this laptop, in most cases you will never have legislative members asking you for tools like this, you have them asking for other interesting things like cars but our legislative system has chosen to take a bold step to digitalize their process and that is why they needed those laptops.”
Also in his remarks, the speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye represented by Hon Tajudeen Akingbolu expressed gratitude to the group and assured them of the readiness of the House of Assembly to keep enacting laws that would make their contributions and investment thrive in the State.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Community Engagement of the organisation, Mr Dapo Oriola disclosed the plan of the organization to established a 16 Million US dollar factory in the state with the capacity to engage over 10,000 people after completion.
Mr Oriola mentioned that the group which is targeting 15,000 hectares of land for farming process had started a cassava plantation with a factory to make derivatives from cassava for export purposes.
He added that the organization was also about starting farming in Ikosun Ekiti and some other communities with focus on cassava, cocoa, cashew and other produce with the intention to add some values to the produce and make it ready for exportation.
Mr Oriola said the donation of the laptops to the Ekiti State House of Assemble was to further register the presence and commence the relationship of the group with the people of the State