The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has pledged the commitment of the state to provide a conducive environment for legitimate businesses to thrive, especially in agribusiness.
Aiyedatiwa made the pledge when declaring open the Non-Oil Export Forum organized by Providus Bank, which was held in Akure on Wednesday.
The one-day seminar has as theme; “Expanding Potentials in Nigeria Non-Oil Export Business”, with speakers drawn from commercial banks, financial institutions, logistics, agro-trade, and others.
Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor of the state, said that Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu's administration has “set Ondo on a glorious path of greatness as government policy was very strong in pushing the growth and development of Agribusiness in the state”.
The acting governor said that though Nigeria had the disadvantage of a predominantly one-product economy of oil, but this was the best time for the state to pursue goals that were essential to its prosperity.
“Agriculture and agribusiness is one of the way to go. And in Ondo State, government is doing a lot in agriculture and agribusiness as the support given to agribusiness in the state is second to none.
“We enjoin potential investors in the state to expand their reach and tap into many opportunities that abound in our state,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa also emphasised that the security architecture that had been put in place made Ondo State the safest place to do business in the country.
“Our primary mandate is security protection and welfare of our people, and with the security arrangements this government had put in place, everyone can go about their legitimate business without fear.
“We have the right environment for those with legitimate business to thrive in Ondo State,” he said.
The acting governor equally called for enhanced value addition across agric value chain.
Earlier, Mr Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, Deputy Managing Director, Providus Bank, said the event was borne out of the bank’s supporting aspiration to drive the country’s growth in export volume earnings.
Aigbokhaevbo, who was represented by Mrs Funke Jones, the Divisional Head, Corporate Banking, Providus Bank, said Akure was chosen as the location for the event, in support of the state and its people’s innate zeal for agribusiness.
“As a future bank, we have evolved in our support for export business through template settings and other ambitious strategies to lead the pack of banks with appetite for export business,” she said.
