Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter during the Envoy's two- day working visit to the State on Friday, April 06, 2012.
Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter has lauded the efforts of the Dr. Fayemi-led administration towards enhancing all-round rapid development of the State; saying that the State is a model for any investor who wants to come to Nigeria.
The High Commissioner gave the recommendation at Ikogosi Ekiti after an inspection tour of some on-going projects in the education, tourism and agro-allied sectors of the State. The Envoy who was on a two –day working visit to the state, undertook the tour with a view to assessing the developmental drive of the Fayemi-led administration.
The High Commissioner’s visit was a follow up to Governor Fayemi’s visit to Canada last year with the aim of attracting Canadian investors to the State and getting partnership from the Canadian government for some sectors of the State’s economy.
The tour saw Mr. Cooter, at the Ekiti-Odua Industrial Centre in Ado, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, State Technical College, Ado Ekiti, the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Ikogosi resort and Arinta waterfall at Ipole Iloro. He was accompanied by the state Commissioner for Integration and Inter-governmental Affairs, Mrs Bunmi Dipo-Salami; Commisioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr (Mrs) Eniola Ajayi; Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Lekan Faromika; Director General, Ekiti Enterprise Development Agency (EEDA), Mr Oscar Ayeleso and other state officials.
Speaking at Ikogosi after the inspection tour, the High Commissioner said the visit was aimed at establishing a cordial relationship between Ekiti State and Canada in the three sectors; stressing that since education is key to the socio-economic development of any nation and the passion of the present administration to revamp the education sector, the government of Canada was ready to partner with the state in achieving its lofty vision.
While noting that Ekiti State has enough human capital resources as well as natural potentials that could make it a destination for investors from all parts of the world, Mr. Cooter assured that he would help in facilitating the coming of Canadian investors to the State, even as he confirmed that many of the investors are eager to come to the State following reports that it is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.
The Canadian High Commissioner expressed surprise at the wonder of Ikogosi resort where warm and cold springs meet and a tree and another palm tree grow together from the same root without grafting; saying that “ I recommend this place for investors and everyone who loves the work of nature”.
Mr. Cooter also assured the state of the readiness of the University of Manitoba, Canada to partner with the Ekiti State University and College of Education Ikere- Ekiti so as to achieve the vision of the Institutions of becoming world-class.
At the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe described the visit of the High Commissioner to the state as an “important visit” that would usher in a lot of development in the state.
The traditional ruler commended the effort of Governor Fayemi in wooing investors to the state and for putting in place infrastructure that would create enabling environment for investors; adding that the on-going construction works in all the parts of the State, especially the capital city are testimonies that the #20 billion bond was not to plunge the state into unnecessary debt but to develop it.
Oba Adejugbe added that the visit was “the beginning of good things to come.”
Meanwhile the Commissioner for Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mrs Bunmi Dipo-Salami has described the visit of the High Commissioner as a fruit of the effort of the Fayemi-led administration to develop Ekiti state through the efforts of government and partnerships from foreign governments as well as development partners from all over the world.
Dipo-Salami said Fayemi had always said that he alone does not have all the answers to the challenges facing the State but believes that by collective efforts, the State could become the choice destination for investors and an envy of others.
Last modified: April 6, 2012
