The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has pleaded with the well-to-do Nigerians abroad to start cultivating the habit of investing in their home country’s economy by putting up businesses that would create employment for the teeming employable youth in the country.
Oba Ogunwusi also urged them to emulate the giant strides made by the chairman and founder of Cavista Holdings, parent company of Agbeyewa Farms Limited, Mr John Olajide, by investing in the country to reduce unemployment.
The traditional ruler made the plea at Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre in Ekiti state weekend during the Traditional Rulers Retreat 2025 with the Theme: “Unlocking Ekiti’s Potentials: The Role of Traditional Rulers in Attracting Investments.”
The monarch commended the founder of ‘Agbeyewa’ Farms, Mr John Olajide, for turning Ekiti north axis of the state that had almost become the kidnappers’ den to cassava plantation that created food security, income and job opportunities for residents.
Oba Ogunwusi also used the forum to recall how the Ekiti traditional rulers few years back championed the rejection of Ruga Scheme Project in South west part of the country and said had it been the Ekiti traditional rulers allowed such to happen, their son, Mr Olajide, the founder of ‘Agbeyewa’ Farms would not have had the opportunity of establishing the agricultural project in the state.
He called on the traditional rulers to encourage other Ekiti sons and daughters to invest in the state’s economy and pleaded with them to join hands with the founder of ‘Agbeyewa’ to enable him achieve his goal by improving the growth and development of Ekiti state.
The chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiri, Oba Ilori Faboro, who led other traditional rulers to the retreat promised their commitment towards accommodating investors for the growth of Ekiti state.
In his remark Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by his chief of staff, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, lauded the chairman and founder of Cavista Holdings and Founder of Agbeyewa Farms, Mr Olajide for holding the retreat for the traditional rulers and assured that the state government support the Agbeyewa Farms Project.
“Ekiti is peaceful. Ekiti is safe. Come home. Bring investment into our land and we would work with you as government and we would work with you, co-opting our traditional rulers as you have seen in today’s event,” he said.