Oyebanji seeks US partnership on economic growth, cocoa development

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has solicited the support and partnership with the United States of America in developing the critical economic sectors of the state to achieve his administration’s shared prosperity agenda.

Specifically, Ekiti State, according to Governor Oyebanji is desirous of the American government’s support for its Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on cocoa development as well as a collaboration between the state’s knowledge Zone and US technology hub, the Silicon Valley.

Governor Oyebanji, who disclosed these in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday during a meeting with a team from American Embassy led by the Charge d’Affaires, David Green, said the state would explore the American expertise, resources, and investment as a progressive partner in the areas of economy, security, climate change, innovations, among others.

The Ekiti State Governor, at the meeting which was attended by the Consul General of the American Embassy, William Stevens; Chairman of CAVISTA Holdings, who is also the Chairman of Corporate Council on Africa, Mr John Olajide; and some top embassy officials, thanked the American Government for the support the state has received in its agriculture development drive, especially the Ikun Diary Farm.

He explained that the collaboration is expected to strengthen the state’s economy, create jobs, and enhance the quality of life of her citizens.

Stressing that productivity remains the watchword in his administration’s economic drive, Governor Oyebanji said any state that desires growth must be productive. “If a state must prosper, that state must work on productivity and for productivity to happen, there must be collaboration with the private sector,” he added.