……..Receives US based humanist, philanthropist
By Lekan Adejuwon
The Ekiti State Government, on Monday promised to use every legitimate means to market its huge potentials in education, agriculture and tourism to the global community to boost its industrial development and growth.
The government said Governor Biodun Oyebanji was deploying resources accruing to Ekiti to provide enabling environment for business with the sole aim of increasing industrial development and shore up the revenue profile of the state.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye spoke on Tuesday, while receiving a United States of America based philanthropist and owner of Global Lawson Charity Organisation, Amb Ibrahim Lawson Fofanah, at her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The Guinean born Ambassador was on a working visit to the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, who had been invested as the Grand Patron of the international NGO.
Applauding Ambassador Fofanah for visiting Ekiti, Mrs Afuye, said the government was ready to partner foreign investors to make investment exploits in tourism, farming and education, where Ekiti enjoys favourable comparative advantage.
She said: “We appreciate Ambassador Fofanah’s exploits in ensuring that every humanity lives in peace and comfort going by the level of philanthropism his NGO had done in capacity building and in fighting poverty in Africa.
“By all standards of measurement, Ekiti remained one of the most peaceful and investment-friendly states in the country. We also have one of the most viable tourist attractions like Ikogosi Warm springs, Arinta Waterfall, Ogun Onire groove among others. Try and visit those places to know how viable we are in this sector”.
In his submission, Ambassador Fofanah, described Governor Oyebanji as a focused and pragmatic leader, who was desirous of making a difference in the lives of Ekiti citizens.
Ambassador Fofanah stated that he had earlier visited the Afe Babalola University on a tour of the citadel of learning and the ABUAD multi system hospital, the two facilities he said were gradually changing the face of education and health sectors in the country.
He said having considered himself as a son of the soil because of his fraternity with Ajero, that he was ready to partner with the government to make Ekiti better in all spheres.
Amb Fofanah stated that he had always been serving Africans in USA through his NGO, regardless of differential in countries, saying this is the best spirit every African citizen must imbibe to make the continent better.
He said Ekiti was blessed with good leaders like Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the Deputy Governor and Oba Adewole, who are ready to make tremendous impacts in the lives of the citizens with their leadership positions.
The frontline traditional ruler and the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, who is hosting the visitor, said he met Ambassador Fofanah in USA in 2018 and struck a cord of friendship with him because of his interest in Africa, particularly Nigeria.
The monarch said he decided to take Ambassador Fofanah on a tour of Ekiti for him to be abreast of the fact that the state is a land of opportunities.
Those who joined the Deputy Governor to receive Ambassador Fofanah included: Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Hon. Ojo Atobioke, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi, Special Adviser on Special Education, Adetoun Agboola, among others.
