By Gbadebo Adeagbo
Following the signing of their Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, by the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for the establishment of a cattle ranch in Irele Ekiti, a group of Ekiti indigenes in the Diaspora under a Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC-registered EkitiKete Livestock Development Company Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV, that was formed to drive the cattle ranch initiative, today signed a memorandum of agreement, MoA, with the Vietnam Africa Economic Cooperation Alliance, VAECA, and the Vietnam Institute of Africa and Middle East VIAMES.
Known as the Nigeria-Vietnam Investment Facilitation Memorandum of Agreement, MoA, this major milestone was facilitated by the Nigeria-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NVCCI.
In his remarks, the president of NVCCI, Mr. Oye Akinsemoyin, said that he was particular elated with the signing of the agreement as it has provided the needed “bedrock upon which everything else would be laid.”
Mr. Akinsemoyin, who said he’s partly an Ekiti son, as his mother hails from the state, said that the several works that happened behind the scenes for the event to come to fruition didn’t go to waste after all.
Speaking on behalf of VIAMES, Professor Le Phuoc Minh, said that he was also excited that the parties concerned finally signed the MoA, adding that he’s looking forward to a “good and long lasting relationship with Ekitikete Livestock Development Company.”
Representative of VAECA, Dr. Le Quy Kha, also spoke in similar vein.
The interim chairman of EkitiKete Livestock Development Company, Mr. Ranti Omole, said that he was also happy that a project that started a little over two years ago now has a clearer path towards affecting the real economic development and sustainability of the state, with the signing of the MoA.
Mr. Omole said that the MoA is a good example of what can happen between Nigeria and Vietnam.
The interim chairman acknowledged the role played by Prof. Bolaji Aluko and Femi Odere, both of whom served in the Fayemi administration as DG/SA, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery, OTSD, and Senior Special Assistant, SSA, on Diaspora Affairs to Governor Fayemi respectively.
He added, “I can say without equivocation that this project is actually the baby of Mr. Femi Odere, because of his consistent admonition to us not to give up on the state, because we had wanted to call it quits due to what we believed are unnecessary bottlenecks and annoying bureaucracy on several occasions.
“The tenacity of both men has made it possible to cross this line today and very soon, work will start on the 252 hectares that we have been allocated for our stated purpose in Irele Ekiti.”
In his remarks, the erstwhile SSA on Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Odere, said that he was also happy that he was able to add value, in his own modest way, to the administration of Governir Fayemi, who gave him the opportunity to serve the state.
Odere added, “What’s even more remarkable about this event today, which I must say, is that here you have some Ekiti sons and daughters in the Diaspora, most of who never knew each other from Adam, but have shared passion for the growth and development of their state, in which they’re desirous of being a part. I have said this before and it bears repeating again that real sustainable development can only be possible if Nigerians themselves are integral to the development of the country and her sub-nationals.
“The cattle ranch initiative and the signing of this MoA is therefore the highest point of my public service career in the Fayemi administration.”
Some of the people behind the cattle ranch initiative, aside the chairman, witnessed the event; and they include: Olumide Ogunleye, Mrs. Mopelola Omotosho, Adeyemi Akeju, Kunle Jinadu and Victor Adeyemo.
The event was on zoom and there was the clinking of wine and water glasses to celebrate this major milestone by the participants.
