NAN-AE-20
Agriculture
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says his administration will give priority to agriculture because of its multiplier effects on the economy.
He said this on Thursday in Ibadan at a town hall meeting organised by the state government at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had launched an agricultural initiative tagged, “Agric Oyo, ” to boost Internally Generated Revenue and provide employment opportunities.
Ajimobi said that the priority of government and the citizenry should be on addressing the current economic challenges bedevilling the nation.
He said that the economic challenges of the country required rethinking, re-strategising and diversification.
“We have comparative advantage in agriculture and we must revive the sector for the benefit of our dear state.
“Our landmass in the state is up to 30,000 square kilometre, which makes it the biggest in the whole of southern Nigeria. We are the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria.
“We have travelled round the world to woo investors. At our last visit to China, some investors had assured us of buying cassava from us in large quantities.
“We have the human capital, we have the land and the state is strategically positioned. We are appealing to our traditional rulers to give them land,” he said.
“` The problem in this country and Oyo State in particular is attitudinal change. We must all embrace positive attitude in all we do.
“There is no reason for Oyo State not to be the most industrialised in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Ajimobi stated that the town hall meeting to be held every three months was to allow government and the public to interact and share ideas on how to move the state forward.
He urged the people not to default on their obligations, citing regular payment of taxes and strong respect for the laws of the land as being among these.
NAN reports that the event was attended by Chief Moses Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor, Mr Michael Adeyemo, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Justice Samson Akinteye, who represented the Chief Judge of the state and Sen. Fatai Buhari.
Others are Alhaji Olalekan Alli, the Secretary to the State Government and Dr Gbade Ojo, the Chief of Staff to the Governor.(NAN)
TAA/EAL/OJO
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(Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Mufutau Ojo)