The Okeho Economic and Industrial Awareness Summit 2025 convened on Saturday, 22nd of February, drew prominent figures to the Okeho Town Hall to discuss strategies for revitalizing the ancient town’s economy.
Organized by Egbe Omo Ibile Okeho and led by a committee headed by former FirstBank Managing Director, Mr. Jacob Moyo Ajekigbe, the event featured lectures from Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi and Mr. Kolawole Adeniyi, alongside addresses from local dignitaries.
Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi, President of the Nigerian Society of Animal Protection (NSAP), delivered a lecture titled “Unlocking the Economic Potential of Okeho,” emphasizing the need for actionable strategies. “I am here not just to speak, but to inspire action that will shape the present and future of this town and its environs,” he stated.
He highlighted Okeho’s historical reliance on diverse economic activities, including arts and crafts such as weaving, pottery, beadwork, and blacksmithing, as well as agricultural production of garlic, turmeric, ginger, locust beans, okra, limes, and groundnuts.
Professor Babayemi urged residents to blend traditional practices with modern technology, suggesting the creation of an “Olofin Brand” to market local products like “Olofin Ginger” and “Olofin Pottery.”
He identified infrastructure deficits, workforce limitations, and the absence of a clear economic development strategy as key challenges. His recommendations included developing a strategic economic plan, establishing an investor task force, implementing workforce training programs, promoting tourism, and leveraging natural resources.
He further proposed an action plan that involves establishing an economic development strategy committee within six months, hosting an investment summit within 12 months, and developing a workforce development program within the same timeframe.
Mr. Kolawole Adeniyi, Chairman/CEO of Niji Group, focused on agribusiness potential in his lecture. “Okeho, a town nestled within Oyo State, possesses fertile land and a hardworking populace, presenting a prime opportunity for agribusiness-driven economic growth. Unlocking this potential requires a multi-pronged approach,” he stated.
He outlined key strategies: empowering local farmers with modern techniques and improved seeds, establishing robust market linkages, promoting value-added processing, and ensuring access to finance. “By addressing these key areas, Okeho can transform its agricultural potential into a thriving agribusiness hub, driving sustainable economic growth and prosperity for its residents,” he concluded.
Mr. Jacob Moyo Ajekigbe, committee chairman, emphasized the summit’s goal of sharing knowledge and experience to foster economic prosperity. “Mr Jacob Moyo Ajekigbe, Chairman Economic and Industrial Committee justified the purpose of gathering as one of the ways through which knowledge, wisdom and experience can be shared with one another on ways through which the economic prosperity of the community can be attained,” he stated.
Hon. Najimdeen Oyeshina Oyedeji, representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, Oyo State, acknowledged the community’s focus on economic improvement and addressed state creation speculations, citing constitutional processes as the primary hurdle. He promised to deliver on electioneering campaigns.
The epoch-making occasion had in attendance of notable dignitaries, entrepreneurs, Business Moguls, politicians, Traditional Rulers and others respectively.
