Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, and Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti State, have urged traditional leaders to work together with investors in their areas for the sake of peace and prosperity.
According to them, traditional leaders have played important roles in community development, so it is essential that they constantly assist and make sure that local investors operate in a peaceful environment. This will benefit their communities in terms of growth, job opportunities, and wealth creation.
During the Traditional Rulers’ Retreat 2025, which was organized by Cavista Holdings and Agbeyewa Farms and had as its theme “Unlocking Ekiti’s potential: The role of traditional rulers in attracting investment,” Ooni and Oyebanji talked on Saturday at Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort.
Cavista Holding’s multibillion-naira investment in Ekiti State, especially the vast Agbeyewa Farms, will greatly strengthen the state’s economy and generate a large number of employment and possibilities, according to Oba Ogunwusi.
The monarch urged other well-meaning people and private organizations in the state to follow in the footsteps of Cavista Holdings Chairman John Olajide, who came home to invest and improve the lives of the people because he loved his state’s growth.
“Agbeyewa has demonstrated how cooperation with royal institutions can make development smooth and inclusive,” he remarked. This strategy should serve as a lesson to investors. It is important to acknowledge traditional leaders as strategic partners rather than as cultural icons. Agbeyewa is working with the community and investors, and it serves as a test case for us in Nigeria right now.
Traditional leaders have a crucial and significant role in the development of communities. Agbeyewa Farms was born out of that; particular appreciation go out to John Olajide, the creator and a visionary leader. We are incredibly proud of him for his accomplishments around the world.
The Ooni praised Olajide for transforming the kidnappers’ axis into a highly profitable area through Agbeyewa Farms and opening up the northern section of Ekiti State, which was previously known as a “criminals and kidnappers’ den,” with a daring plan and step. Many high-ranking diplomats and officials have visited this agrotourism destination.
“So, I will want to urge our traditional rulers to support these investors and their investment because it is through these companies that we can easily change things for our good in terms of economic development especially in the area of jobs for our people,” the monarch said.
Ekiti State Governor, Oyebanji, represented by his Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo, said, “Traditional institutions are at the heart of our development agenda. Their influence in maintaining peace and encouraging communal participation is indispensable”.
Oyebanji, who said the essence of the retreat was to ensure collaboration among government, traditional institutions and the investors to enhance progress and foster economic growth, assured that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for investors to thrive.
The Chairman of Cavista, Olajide, who said the retreat was to seek more collaboration with the traditional institution for more productive engagement and investment in the state, said that his major interest in investing in Ekiti was to revitalize the economy through massive job creation for the youths.
He said, “Traditional rulers are pivotal in community development and their influence is essential for fostering unity, promoting peace, and attracting investments to drive economic growth in our region.
“What started as a vision to cultivate 1,000 hectares has grown into 5,000 hectares, which we will cultivate this year. We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ekiti State Government, launching the Cassava Revolution project, which aims to cultivate 100,000 hectares of cassava over the next 10 years.
“We have over 1000 people working on our farms, most of them indigenes of Ekiti State, and we have started discussions towards building a processing plant that will create more jobs for our people,” Olajide said.
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