A new generation agribusiness investment company has launched its new branch in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Saturday.
The company, which has been firmly established in Lagos and Ogun states, is targeting over one thousand youths for employment opportunities and investment in agribusiness with production of other daily needs and consumable goods to its credit.
The company is set out to make agribusiness attractive to younger generations while also targeting millions of youths in West Africa with a view to ensuring food security and making the continent exporter of agricultural produce.
Addressing journalists at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Eatrich Farm, Ambassador Samuel Afolabi said the goal of the company is to metamorphose the best Fast Moving Consumable Goods in Nigeria.
“We have our water, bread, rice and beans. By the second quarter of April, we are going to roll out at least 15 to 20 other food products you can think of.”
Ambassador Afolabi, who stated that he was born into a family of farmers, expressed concerned over how his parents used to suffer, borrow money to cultivate their land.
“I want to write a new story about agriculture, even though I studied Marine Engineering and I was a first class graduate. I want to tell a story that agriculture could be profitable to young people. I can assure you that in Oyo State, we going to employ over 1500 workers.” He concluded.
Representing Governor Seyi Makinde Oyo State at the event, Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Honourable Samuel Adejumobi promised that the state government would do everything within its power to support Eatrich Farm and other investors in the state, stressing that if successive administrations in the state had given conducive environment to investors, the state IGR would have been better than how it is now.
“The present administration in Oyo State is looking for a way forward to encourage investors in the state. Samuel Afolabi who is the CEO of Eatrich Farm has good plan to touch people’s live. What he is doing is going to boost the economy of Oyo State; and we in the government circles, on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, will throw our weight behind him on anything he needs to succeed.”
“He has promised to employ over 1500 people in the state and he has employed 66 already. This is what individuals should emulate to so that we move the state forward.” He stated.
Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Honourable Ojemuyiwa Ojekunle who was represented by an official of the ministry, highlighted the achievements of Governor SEYI Makinde in agricultural sector to include creation of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) to take agriculture from its old ways to agribusiness level which enables farmers to make substantial profits from the various farming activities along the agricultural value chains.
Ojekunle commended Eatrich for its ingenuity and for choosing Oyo State.
Representatives of Olubadan of Ibadanland and Ooni of Ile-Ife gave the royal blessing to the new company while urging the CEO to broaden the horizon of the company across Yorubaland.
The highlight of the event was the cutting of cake and ribbon to officially launch the Ibadan branch of Eatrich Farm as witnessed by traditional rulers, government representatives, non-state actors and other stakeholders in agricultural sector.