The Director-General, Oyo State Liaison Office in Abuja and Lagos, Wale Ajani has solicited for deepened and mutually beneficial relationship between the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the pacesetter state.
Ajani said this in his continued strategic courtesy visits to MDAs when he was in 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.
The governor’s aide in his brief address during his visit to the AGF on Monday, August 15, 2022, spoke on efforts being made by the 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 might 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.
He also assured that the state Liaison Office would 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, Ajani, for the visit.
The acting 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 was being done in line with the civil service rules and regulations.
He added that the office of the AGF would always remain open and be available to provide needed support to requests from Oyo State government as long as they are legitimate.
The acting AGF went further to hint that if there are specific areas the state would need more collaborations, the AGF would always be ready and open to mutually beneficial dialogue.
During his visit to NEXIM Bank MD/CEO, Mr Abba Bello on Thursday, August 18, Ajani explained that Oyo State, being an agrarian one with a fast growing population, had greatly shown the capacity to move from a consuming state to producing one under Governor 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 programmes of the 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 strategic programme and policy direction, noting that since most of the Nigerian exports are agricultural, they do not necessarily needed to be exported.
He stated further that more efforts were 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 consuming to a producing nation and creating expanded value chain that would culminate in employment and business opportunities.
Mr Bello also proposed an export enlightenment programme in Oyo State, which he suggested could come up in October, to drive and promote the export campaign as well as expose exporters to the boundless benefits associated with the state export development funds of NEXIM.
In his reaction, Ajani noted that the pacesetter state is specially blessed among other states, particularly in the southwestern part of the country in terms of arable lands for agriculture that could produce a variety of agricultural produce for both local and international markets.
He stressed the readiness of the state to key into the short and long term strategic plans of NEXIM Bank in order to achieve its goal for the agricultural sector.
Also, 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 the state with regards to 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.
Commending Ajani and his delegation for the proactive visit, the Commission’s DG, Surveyor Adamu A. Adaji, 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 would always be available to provide needed support and collaborations with the state whenever the need arises.
