Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, has more exhorted the state’s youth to seize opportunities.
He delivered the charge on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the groundbreaking ceremony for a conventional poultry processing facility in the Edo State local government area of Obayantor Community, Ikpoba Okha.
A nonprofit development organization called Heifer Nigeria, Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, the Edo State government, and the organization’s mission to end hunger and poverty through holistic, sustainable community development are collaborating on the project.
By 2030, the partnership will enable 500,000 smallholder chicken farmers by providing them with access to new and improved environmentally friendly practices and innovations for poultry production, as well as premium market opportunities and creative financing.
In an official statement, the governor affirmed that his administration’s goal has always been to elevate the State to the forefront of Nigerian agriculture production.
“There is no justification for the current level of unemployment,” stated Obaseki.
“The main cause of our high unemployment rate is that we prefer to import goods rather than produce them locally.
“You will now be able to invest and hire people to produce those things when you manufacture or grow the food that you consume. However, when you import, you shift the jobs, and your money now supports hiring individuals abroad.
“We have exhausted our funds for imports. Therefore, something has to change.”
He went on, “I want to make a plea to our young people. We need to adopt a more positive outlook on work. This whole desire to travel must change. They do not want to start small or make N50,000 a month; they want to start big.
“Here we are seated. We see people coming from outside to come and work. “It is a menial job,” our young people say.
“Parents, please have conversations with our kids. We need to start adopting a more positive outlook on life. It takes time to become a wealthy man. Gradually, you become self-sufficient by starting small, building, and working hard.
“As a government, I do not want to be in a position where we offer our people opportunities in Edo, but they do not seize them and let others take advantage of them, and the next day they will be whining that no one assisted them.”
“We have been working on this for the last five to six years on purpose, so what you are seeing here today will be revolutionary.
“So, we are building a processing facility here today to aid in the hatching of chickens so that farmers can come and purchase. They will give them food support, veterinary supplies and medications, and after their chickens are grown, they will buy them back.
“We are aware that food is essential. Therefore, we are also encouraging people to grow maize, soy beans, and feed products as part of our government policy. We give them the support”, the governor added.
In order for the business to succeed and benefit from it, Mr. Obaseki also tasked the host community with working with the investor and making sure the environment is favorable enough.
“At this point, you have to ensure that the community is welcoming. You have to be careful not to encourage young people’s restlessness. “You have to be careful not to intimidate those who have come to invest in your community,” he stated.
The governor discussed how government functions in relation to business in a world that is changing quickly. He stated: “The role of government is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”
“Convincing people accustomed to a certain style of government that it is no longer possible for it to function in that way is one of the challenges we face.
“The purpose of the government is to assist enterprises. Governments are not capable of conducting business. The government does not run a company. The government is not a prosperous businessman.”
Mr. Obaseki made the following appeal to communities, pleading with them to assist the government in luring capital and investments to the state: “I want to appeal to communities that they should make land available.” If you set the stage for us to do so, the government is ready to help and invest in your communities.”
