Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman/Chief Executive, Dangote Group of Companies, displaying, copies of a compendium on the activities of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, after the deputy governor and Dangote held a business meeting in his Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos Office."
The investment drive of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration got a major boost at the weekend. Foremost industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote promised to extend his business interest to the Land of Honour State.
Alhaji Dangote, who is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Dangote Group of Companies, listed solid mineral development, agriculture and education as possible areas of investment in Ekiti State.
He dropped the hint after he met with Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu at his Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos Office on Friday.
According to a statement signed by Prof Adelabu’s media aide, Mr Bunmi Ogunmodede, both parties described their discussions as very fruitful after the meeting which held behind closed door, They promised to work out the areas of collaboration, the statement added.
Speaking on what transpired at the meeting, Dangote said: “I have had a very good discussion with the deputy governor and we are looking at the areas of solid minerals; we are also looking at the area of rice production which is agriculture.
“We will engage more of the local population in farming activities and this will create employment opportunities for the people. So, we’ll look into this and the possibility of collaborating with the state through the Ministry of Agriculture.
“I am also looking into the area of education. I have had a very fruitful discussion with the professor and we’ll take it up from there,” the businessman, who rated the Fayemi administration very high in performance, said.
According to him, the Ekiti State helmsman deserves all the necessary support to push through his vision for the people of Ekiti State.
His words: “Ekiti people and Nigerians show allow him to continue with the great job that he has been doing. He (Fayemi) has not disappointed anyone of us, who are his friends because we believed he went into politics on a mission and he’s doing very well.
My advice to Ekiti people is that they should give their governor and his deputy all the support they require to succeed. They are a great team and I wish them the very best.”
Also speaking, Prof Adelabu said her parley with Africa’s richest man centred on possible areas of collaboration between the two parties, particularly on education.
She said: “I am aware there is the Dangote Foundation that has interest in education. In fact, he was there at the last Education Summit that was held at the Banquet Hall, State House, in Abuja.
“Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was at that summit, where Alhaji Dangote was saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the education sector. I have come to discuss he can support the education sector in our state and how to have more of his investment presence in Ekiti State.”
The deputy governor described Dangote as man of his words, who will not promised what he cannot do, assuring that the state would be better for the budding relationship between the government and the business icon.
Last modified: November 11, 2013