The former Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB), Prince Akin Olayisade, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of Otunba Adeniyi as a Minister, saying it will boost industrial development in Ekiti.
Otunba Adebayo, who was the pioneer executive governor of Ekiti, was on Wednesday sworn in and to head the ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Olayisade, former Chairman Public Works Corporation and Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring who described the portfolio as strategic, noted that the former governor will leverage on the office to commence an aggressive industrialisation of the 23 year old state.
In his congratulatory message commemorating his swearing in as a member of the Federal Executive Council on Saturday, Olayisade urged Adebayo to deploy his new position to work with Governor Kayode Fayemi to attract viable industries to the state.
He described Adebayo as a resourceful manager of men and resources, who would bring his political and business acumen to bear for the upliftment of the country’s industrial and trade development policies and programmes.
He said Adebayo had continually enjoyed the confidence of the people that he will deliver owing to the fact the minister was able to leave indelible marks in Ekiti through landmark projects between 1999 and 2003 when he was the governor despite acute shortage of fund.
Olayisade stated that the Ministry is very pivotal to the development of Ekiti State, saying that dearth of viable industries has been the greatest impediment militating against the development of the state’s economy.
“When it comes to joblessness and poor economic development, Ekiti State is one of the worst hit in Nigeria, because it is not industrialised.
“Ekiti State’s economy is largely dependent on the civil service structure and bringing in more industries would bail the state out of the present predicament.
“But we are confident that Adebayo will deliver, having successfully ruled Ekiti at the most financially challenging time and he never disappointed the people.
“I join all other well wishers to pray that the Lord should grant the former Governor and our leader good health and wisdom that will make him contribute meaningfully to the economic wellbeing of our nation and the people.
