By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has called for greater collaboration between investors and traditional institutions, describing such partnerships as essential for driving economic transformation across Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday at the annual Traditional Rulers Retreat held in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Oba Ogunwusi stated that traditional rulers are no longer confined to ceremonial roles, but are now active players in development, policy advocacy, and investment facilitation.
The retreat, titled “Unlocking Ekiti’s Potential: The Role of Traditional Rulers in Attracting Investments,” brought together monarchs from across the region to deliberate on how best to stimulate economic growth at the grassroots level. The event was hosted at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre.
Addressing journalists at the retreat, the monarch praised Agbeyewa Farms, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings, for its notable contributions to rural industrialisation in Ekiti State. He described the company’s operations as a model of responsible investment, applauding its consistent engagement with traditional leaders from the earliest stages of its agricultural ventures.
“Agbeyewa has shown how collaboration with royal institutions can make development seamless and inclusive. Investors should take a lesson from this approach. Traditional rulers must be recognised as strategic partners, not just cultural symbols,” Oba Ogunwusi said.
He urged more investors to follow Cavista Holdings’ lead, particularly in the agricultural sector, which he described as a viable path to economic recovery and poverty alleviation.
In his remarks, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, affirmed the state government’s readiness to support investors by ensuring a secure and peaceful environment. He also acknowledged the vital role of traditional rulers in mediating disputes and maintaining harmony within their communities.
“Traditional institutions are at the heart of our development agenda. Their influence in maintaining peace and encouraging communal participation is indispensable,” he said, appealing to investors to engage respectfully with royal leaders as stakeholders in their business ventures.
The Founder of Cavista Holdings, Mr Niyi John-Olajide, provided further insight into the scale of Agbeyewa Farms’ impact. He revealed that the company operates the largest cassava farm in Nigeria, with over 5,000 hectares under cultivation and more than 1,500 people employed across several communities.
“We are committed to the economic advancement of Ekiti and beyond. Our work has already empowered many local families, and we remain eager to partner with more communities for mutual benefit,” he said. He encouraged traditional leaders to continue supporting initiatives that promote self-sufficiency and industrial growth.
Earlier, Cavista Holdings’ General Manager, Mr Oska Aiyeleso, presented a detailed overview of the firm’s activities in the state. He said the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ekiti State government to expand its cassava cultivation to 100,000 hectares over the next decade under a project titled the “Cassava Revolution.”
Aiyeleso added that the company is in the early stages of developing a cassava processing facility that would significantly boost employment and local value addition.
“We began with a vision of 1,000 hectares. Now we’re cultivating 5,000 hectares this year alone. We employ over 1,000 indigenes, and our Foundation is investing in education, healthcare, and sports development across the region,” he said.
He noted that the Agbeyewa Foundation recently sponsored a secondary school football tournament, which was won by Omuo-Ore High School, and has distributed food palliatives worth millions of naira to support vulnerable households.
The retreat concluded with a renewed pledge from royal fathers to deepen engagement with the private sector, positioning traditional rulers as pivotal agents of progress in their communities.