..Ooni of Ife charges traditional rulers to support investment in domains

The Ekiti State Government has expressed delight over the emergence of the Agbeyewa Farm, which is based in the state, as the number one cassava producer globally.

This was just as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had urged the traditional rulers to support investors willing to invest in their domain instead of discouraging them.

The state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji said that in the past three years, the state has experienced agricultural growth through investments in agriculture, adding that Agbeyewa Farm is the biggest investor in that sector.

They spoke yesterday at the 3rd Annual Agbeyewa Traditional Rulers Retreat which took place at Ikogosi Warm Spring, Ikogosi Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government area of the State.

Represented at the Occasion by his Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, Oyebanji said development of infrastructure across the state has led to rapid economic expansion, noting that the state’s GDP grew to 4.6 trillion naira from 2.6 trillion naira in 2023. “This was the last GDP figure we had and it was done by the National Bureau of Statistics.

“So it shows that our agenda is working and of course, we are pleased to have the likes of Agbeyewa Farm, the biggest integrated cassava farm, not only in Nigeria, but in the world, contributing to the realization of the agenda.”

In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife said that the monarchs must take it as their responsibility to partner with investors and stop discouraging them by refusing to release their lands.

“Land is an issue across board, throughout the country, Nigeria. Land is a major factor of production; all the factors of production land is very critical.

“This is why the traditional rulers summit is organized by Agbeyewa Farm for us to talk to ourselves very frankly. Are we going to eat the land or are we going to carry it to our graves? If we don’t add value to land, how will things be possible in terms of economic development and youth emancipation?

The foremost traditional ruler urged the Federal Government to study and replicate similar agricultural and industrial models of Agbeyewa across other parts of the country, including regions currently grappling with heightened insecurity.

He noted that due to Agbeyewa Farm farming activities, the Ekiti North senatorial district once noted as a hotbed of kidnappings and banditry, has become peaceful.

“If we have more of these capacity development initiatives across Nigeria, we will see a significant decline in insecurity. This is a practical solution that should be embraced nationwide,” he said.

In his Opening remarks, the Chairman of Cavista Holdings, owner of Agbeyewa Farm, Mr Niyi Olajide, called on cassava farmers, including small holders, to sell their cassava to Agbeyewa instead of allowing it to waste.

Speaking on the reason behind the retreat, Olajide said that the people in the farm host communities are sceptical about the intention of the investors, which is why Agbeyewa is bringing the traditional rulers together.

“People are sceptical. They’re suspicious of investors, and they think investors just want to take their land for all kinds of dubious reasons. So we must bring the traditional people together. They’re the custodians of the culture and traditions of the community.

“So it’s important to let them know that we can work together to make this land more valuable, to create inclusive prosperity, to create more hope, to create progress for all our people. So we must educate them about what we’re doing and make sure they partner with us in the economic transformation of their communities.”