The Director-General, Oyo state Liaison Office in Abuja and Lagos, Wale Ajani has continued his strategic courtesy visits to federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).
Ajani also visited the National Boundary Commission (NBC) as well as the Nigeria Export and Import (NEXIM) Bank, all in Abuja to seek for deepened and mutually beneficial relationship between the MDAs and Oyo state.
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The governor’s aide in his brief but concise address during his visit to the AGF on Monday August 15 narrates efforts being made by the Oyo state government to jerk up the state’s internally generated revenue alongside creating other drivers of the economy.
Ajani explained the importance of a robust relationship between Oyo state and the AGF stressing that the state was willing to deepen already cordial connection with a view to exploring ways of mutually beneficial avenues including but not limited to job opportunities.
He noted that states may not be able to do much without the federal government under the present operating structure and appealed for accelerated considerations for any requests and issues regarding the state assuring that the state’s Liaison Office will always be readily on ground to provide any needed support.
The Acting Accountant General of the Federation and Coordinating Director, Sylva Okolie Aboh, in his remarks expressed gratitude to the Oyo state government through the DG Abuja and Lagos Liaison Office, Wale Ajani for the visit.
The Ag. AGF commended Governor Seyi Makinde for all the impressive achievements recorded under his administration which has projected him positively on the national stage noting that as professional civil servants, everything is done in line with the civil service rules and regulations.
He added that the office of the AGF will always be remain open and available to provide needed supports to requests from Oyo state government so long as the requests are legitimate.
The Ag. AGF went further to hint that if there are specific areas Oyo state would need more collaborations, the AGF will always be ready and open to mutually beneficial dialogue.
Meanwhile, Ajani during his visit to NEXIM Bank MD/CEO, Mr Abba Bello on Thursday, August 18 explained that Oyo state being an agrarian state with a fast growing population has greatly shown the capacity to move from a consuming state to producing one under governor Seyi Makinde led government.
Speaking further, Ajani stressed the importance of prioritizing Agribusiness under the Agric revolution policy direction of the Seyi Makinde led government to the long term sustainable development goal of the Agricultural sector.
Explaining the huge commitment of the Seyi Makinde’s government to the agricultural sector, Ajani said Oyo state hopes to in the long run become a key player in the export market while ensuring food security for local consumption in the state.
Ajani maintained that the short and long term programs of Oyo state for the agricultural sector could not be entirely achieved without a deepened collaboration with key stakeholders as the NEXIM Bank assuring that Oyo state being the second fastest developing city in Africa ahead of Lagos and a step behind Accra, Ghana, is ready for the global agricultural market.
The NEXIM MD/CEO, Mr Abba Bello in his response thanked Ajani and Oyo state government for capturing the mandate of NEXIM Bank in the state’s strategic program and policy direction noting that since most of the Nigerian exports are agricultural, they do not necessarily needed to be exported stressing that more efforts is being placed on importation than exportation because of the nature of the nation’s economy.
Mr Bello however, stressed the importance of moving from a consumption to a producing nation and creating expanded value chain that would culminate into employment and business opportunities.
Mr Bello also proposed an export enlightenment program in Oyo state, which he suggested could come up in October to drive and promote the export campaign as well as exposing exporters to the boundless benefits associated with the state’s export development funds of NEXIM.
Ajani, while reacting noted that Oyo state is specially blessed among other states especially in the southwestern part of the country in terms of arable lands for agriculture that can produce variety of agricultural produce for both local and international markets stressing the readiness of Oyo state to key into the short and long term strategic plans of NEXIM Bank in order to achieve its goal for the state’s Agricultural sector.
In a similar development during the week, Ajani and other top officials of the Abuja Liaison Office paid a courtesy call on the Director-general, National Boundary Commission (NBC) to have a first hand knowledge of the commission’s activities in Oyo state with regards to the state boundaries.
Ajani maintained that his visit was not borne out of any form of crisis but to create a robust synergy with the commission as well as explore ways of mutual collaborations.
The Commission’s DG, Surveyor Adamu A. Adaji while commending Ajani and his delegation for the proactive visit noted that Oyo state Liaison Office was the first in Nigeria to identify with the commission.
Explaining the mandate of the commission in details, Surv. Adaji assured that the commission will always be available to provide needed support and collaborations with Oyo state whenever the need arises.
