Professor Olaniyi Babayemi, President of the Nigerian Society of Animal Protection, has underscored the vital role agriculture and traditional crafts play in Okeho’s economic development.
Okeho’s Economic Potential Tied to Agriculture and Crafts
At the Okeho Economic and Industrial Awareness Summit 2025, Babayemi highlighted the town’s reliance on farming and crafts such as weaving, pottery, beadwork, and blacksmithing. Crops like garlic, turmeric, ginger, locust beans, okra, limes, and groundnuts form the backbone of local agriculture.
Delivering a lecture titled “Unlocking the Economic Potential of Okeho,” he urged the community to embrace modern technologies without losing its rich cultural heritage.
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Overcoming Development Challenges
Babayemi identified infrastructure gaps, limited workforce capacity, and the absence of a comprehensive economic development plan as key barriers to progress. To address these issues, he recommended:
- Crafting a strategic economic plan.
- Setting up an investor task force.
- Introducing workforce training programmes.
- Hosting an investment summit within the next year.
- Launching a workforce development initiative to improve local productivity.
“I am here not just to speak, but to inspire action that will shape the present and future of this town,” Babayemi stated.
Agribusiness: A Catalyst for Sustainable Growth
Kolawole Adeniyi, Chairman/CEO of Niji Group, discussed the untapped potential of agribusiness in Okeho. He proposed practical measures, including:
- Empowering farmers with modern farming techniques.
- Enhancing seed quality and crop yields.
- Establishing robust market linkages.
- Promoting value-added processing.
- Ensuring better access to financing.
“Okeho’s fertile land and hardworking populace present a prime opportunity for agribusiness-driven economic growth. By addressing these areas, Okeho can become a thriving agribusiness hub,” Adeniyi said.
Community-Led Development Initiatives
Speaking for the summit’s organising committee, Mr Jacob Moyo Ajekigbe, former Managing Director of FirstBank, reiterated the summit’s objective: “The purpose of this gathering is to harness the collective wisdom of experts and stakeholders to chart a path toward our community’s economic prosperity.”
Political and Community Support for Growth Initiatives
Najimdeen Oyedeji, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, praised the summit’s focus on economic development. While addressing state creation concerns, he acknowledged the significant constitutional challenges involved.
Path Forward for Okeho’s Economic Transformation
The summit attracted notable dignitaries, entrepreneurs, traditional rulers, and business leaders, demonstrating broad support for Okeho’s economic advancement.
Organisers expressed optimism that the summit’s recommendations would translate into tangible progress, driving sustainable growth and prosperity for Okeho and its surrounding areas.
