Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II has said the proposed partnership between a private company, New Age Tomatoes and Food Processing Company Nigeria Ltd interested and Oyo State government in mass production of tomato paste wil reduce unemployment in the state.
Oba Balogun who stated this when he hosted the management team of the company led by Mr. Adekunle Aliu at his Alarere residence saluted the company’s boss for the choice of Oyo State for the project.
The Ibadan paramount ruler said aside from being a very good step towards decreasing unemployed among youths in the state, the project would boost the revenue base of the state government.
According to him, “This is a big plus for the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde and a very good point to kick off his second term in office.
“It is a very good development for our darling state which requires the support of all and sundry. Whatever requires of our inputs as the traditional arm of the system, I want to assure you of our maximum support and cooperation on behalf of my colleagues in the system.
“Everybody is concerned about the well-being of our youths and this is one of the ways to address that. I pray for your success.”
Earlier, Mr. Aliu informed the monarch that the Oyo State government had laid a solid foundation for what his company intends to do recalling that the required staff had been sent on training on tomato production project in Nasarawa State by the government, adding that his company would just be tapping into what the government had done already.
He told the monarch that the purpose of the visit was to brief him of his rapport with the sister company in Italy from where he had just returned, stressing that all the necessary production equipment were ready and his partners well prepared to come down as soon as all the necessary plans at home were put in place.
Aliu acknowledged the efforts of the state government so far, requesting the fast tracking of the process, especially as it relates to the necessary land required for the project.
