Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with the United States of America to explore opportunities in solid minerals development, agribusiness, education and other investment opportunities that will benefit both parties.
The governor stated this on Wednesday, when a delegation from the United States Consul-General, led by the Deputy Chief, Political and Economic Section, Kenise Hill, paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, said his administration has put in place policies which will aid engagement on solid minerals development, environment, agribusiness and energy supply, among others.
He said: “I want to welcome you warmly to Oyo State. I want to assure you that we have huge potentials in Oyo State that can really be leveraged into partnership that will be beneficial to both parties.
“The Solid Mineral Development Agency is a new creation put in place following the challenges of solid mineral exploitation in Oyo State. Close to half of the entire landmass of the state has various solid mineral deposits that can be tapped and developed in partnership with the US government.
“The state government does not mind if you are relating with the private sector or directly with us; you will get the facts and figures when you get to the Agency.
“On environment, you can explore environmental activities that could positively impact Oyo State.
“Also, agribusiness development is one area that is so germane to this government. In the current dispensation, we have put agriculture on the front burner, because we sincerely believe that we must be able to feed our people.
“In this regard, before you leave, you can visit some of the agricultural institutions we have around. The IITA is there and it is playing a vital role. I think what you need to do is to put in financial support for the agricultural activities we have embarked upon in Oyo State.
“Quite recently, I must tell you that because of the efforts of the Oyo State government, the President of Sierra Leone paid a visit to the state and spent close to a week here. He came to understudy our agribusiness model.
“So, the American Government can come in to use this opportunity to leverage, assist and collaborate with the Oyo State government with a view to improving food security and reducing poverty in the land. Food is key and it is a global requirement; it is important globally. And within our space here, we are trying to make sure we feed our people and we need support and mutual engagement in a way that we would be able to feed our people continuously.
“You also mentioned education the other time; over 21 per cent of Oyo State’s total budget goes into education since we assumed office in 2019. We are quite aware that without education, you and I would not be here. So, we know that we need to educate our people; not only conventional education but to also deploy technology to go in the global direction.”
The governor equally noted that his administration has made tremendous effort towards ensuring energy sufficiency for the state, stating that it is another area that the US Government could support the Oyo State Government.
“As a state government, we know that no industrial development can thrive without energy. In Nigeria generally, industries that sprang up in the 1980s are really leaving Nigeria, because of the challenges of energy.
“The Oyo State Government, having realised that energy supply is paramount to attracting investments into the state, also embarked on the construction of an 11KVA Hybrid Power Plant, so that the challenges of running the business of government will not be eliminated.
“We are ready to collaborate with the US Government on energy and in whatever activities you deem fit to engage with us in Oyo State,” the Deputy Governor added.
Earlier in her remarks, the Team Lead, Ms Hill, acknowledged the potentials of Oyo State which could be unlocked in the areas of trade and investment opportunities that are beneficial to Nigeria and the United States as well.
She noted that the United States is ready to expand its trade and investment opportunities and also explore new opportunities in critical areas in the state, such as solid minerals development.
She said: “Our goal is to connect US industries to Nigerian players, private or public sector. We also are trying to support the development of infrastructure.
“We understand that infrastructure projects require significant resources in terms of financing and manpower as well. So, we provide grants, which typically ranges from $2m to support infrastructure in the state and for Nigeria as a whole.
“So, we look forward to exploring how we can work with more entities as well and looking out for potential opportunities in the solid minerals sector.”
Also speaking, other members of the delegation, Mr Josh Egba, Mr Banksharon Nwaneri and Mr Kenechukwu Onyeke said the aim of the delegation was to explore opportunities that could facilitate support for the development of infrastructure in the state.
The event had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Olanike Adeyemo; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi and the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola.
Others were the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd); chairman, Board of Internal Revenue, Mr Femi Awakan and the chairman, Oyo State Mining Development Agency, Mr Abiodun Oni, among others.
