Monarch Calls for More Investment
in Agribusiness
By Yemi Olakitan
The
traditional ruler of Ara Ekiti, Ekiti state, Oba Emanuel Folorunsho Adedara has called for more
investment in agri business in the country. He was speaking at the official presentation of the staff of office and the
celebration of his 10th year anniversary in office. According to
him, agriculture remained one of the untapped potentials of the Nigerian nation,
which successive governments have not fully invested in. He said it was
necessary to focus on agriculture since it is one of the nation’s areas of
comparative advantage. He vowed to make land available to any group of people
or individuals who would like to invest in agriculture in Ara Ekiti. He called on state, federal and private
institutions to embrace agriculture, which he believes holds greater promise
for the future generation than oil.
The Alara of Ara Ekiti,
Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti state, said his passion for agriculture stemmed
from the fact that Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty. ‘‘We have
such a rich agricultural endowment in terms of our huge arable land and massive
manpower. If we invest in agriculture, we can easily eradicate poverty in the
country’’ he said. Speaking further, he wondered why the
nation has so much arable land and hundreds of employable young people and but
do not invest heavily in agribusiness. The monarch concluded that Agriculture
is the way forward if Nigeria must join the league of industrialised nations.
He said his kingdom is willing to give as much as 20,000 hectares of land to
anyone willing to invest in Ara Ekiti.
The 10th year anniversary and coronation ceremonies took
place at Ara Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti state. It was a week-
long activity, which was kicked off by the Ara Ekiti youths. The Iwuye ceremony
took place on the second day. The unique gathering was used by the Oba to feast
and pray for the town as well as his subjects and buttress his commitment to the
development of agriculture. Youth empowerment and career talk was held on day
three. Oba Adedara was presented with his official staff of
office by the government and people of Ekiti State during the celebrations on
the fifth Day, which was the grand finale.
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