L-R: Managing Director, UTC Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Foluso Olaniyan; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Minister for Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina; and Chairman, Master Bakers, Ekiti State, Mr. Bosun Oshaloni, at the official launch/Demonstration of Cassava Bread Initiative In Ekiti State, in Ado-Ekiti... on Monday.
An Address By Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor Of Ekiti State At The Official Launch/Demonstration Of Cassava Bread Initiative Held In Ado-Ekiti On Monday, 6TH August, 2012
I am profoundly happy to officially launch the Cassava Bread Initiative in Ekiti State at this event today. I am particularly excited because this is coming at a time when the policy thrust of this administration on commercial agriculture is taking a firm root and indeed turning to a manifest reality. This event therefore is a dream come true as it has once again proved to you, good people of Ekiti State, that every declaration of government since the inception of this administration is neither a mere sloganeering nor statement of intentions but practicable, purposeful and achievable statement of fact.
As we launch this Initiative today, Ekiti State has become the first State in the federation to tap into the many economic and nutritional advantages of Cassava Bread after the recent launch by the Federal Government.
Our decision to take the quick step in this circumstance became an obvious policy option in view of the penchant of this government to exploit all available opportunities that would be of immense benefit to our people. This is clearly evident in the revolution of producing staple bread from Cassava. In the first place, we believe that consumption of Cassava Bread is healthy as it reduces to large extent the injurious content which the white bread poses to certain categories of consumers particularly those with diabetic related cases. We have always believed that healthy people make a healthy society. The health of our people is of great concern to us as we consider them as the plank upon which a developed state with all the indices of growth is built. The Cassava Bread that is being launched today will go a long way in this regard.
Similarly, of great importance to me is the clear capacity of the Initiative to ignite industrial development which would invariably expand economic activities and create jobs for our teeming populace. You would recall that by the design of the 8 Point Agenda of this administration, 20,000 jobs are to be created by the year 2014 through commercial agriculture. I am glad to note that this Initiative is a right step in this direction.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, since the Initiative is to make Cassava account for 40% of the flour content of bread production in Nigeria, this, no doubt, is a great boost to cassava production on our farms. Our once disillusioned farmers can now heave a sigh of relief as returns on their investment on the farm would become greatly encouraging.
With this development, our desire to make Ekiti State an industrial corridor for the agro allied section of the national economy is a done deal. This will no doubt have a multiplier effect on the state economy. It should therefore be seen that this singular effort would deal a further blow on poverty structure in our land as another step to put the monster to flight in Ekiti State. I call on all farmers to take a full advantage of this opportunity to change their socio-economic status. Let me stress that the State Government is taking this proactive step to make the State the first port of call after the commencement of the revolution at the federal level.
In the last one year, several cassava processing factoruies are in operation inn the state. Vegafresh is currently producing cassav in orin.Daatco just signed an MoU with our government.
I like to assure you all that the government will aggressively drive this project for our people particularly the army of young farmers to maximize its full advantages. I also like to emphasise that necessary support will be provided to make the Initiative a huge success. As a matter of fact, necessary organs of government have been mobilized in this regard.
May I encourage the bakers who are major stakeholders in this enterprise to begin to look inwards for the raw materials (cassava) that are in large and commercial quantity in Ekiti for their trade to make the Cassava Bread Initiative achieve its desired result. I am sure this will also reduce the cost of production of the product considerably. We are also cocommitted to ensuring that master bakers can access loans at low interest for use of our bakers.It would be seen from all fronts that our people stand a good chance of a maximum benefit from the Initiative. This is consistent with our mission of making governance people oriented and masses focused in every step the government takes. In this case, there is no deviation.
Let me thank the Hon Minister and his team for the passionate commitment to the agricultural transformation in Ekiti. Let me also thank Mrs Foluso Olaniyan MD,UTC.
Once again, let me assure you all that this Initiative would be nurtured to an unmitigated success.
It is now my honour to launch the commencement of Cassava Bread Initiative in Ekiti State to the glory of God and the benefit of the good people of the Land of Honour.
Thank you and God bless.
Last modified: August 6, 2012