Aside legendary Elemi pond, Igede-Ekiti gets BIODEC to boost economy

Igede-Ekiti community, headquarters of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area if Ekiti State, now has something other than its legendary Elemi Pond to talk about and nurture. The community has become the first in the state to have a Bioresources Development Centre (BIODEC). The people of the community are hoping that the BDC initiative of the National Biotechnology Development Centre (NABDA) under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology,  would boost the economy.

The leaders and people of Igede-Ekiti community had gathered at the site of what they have come to see as a budding gold mine, for the inauguration of the centre. And although the project is just taking off, the potential seen by the people of the community as well as the confidence the NBDC invests in the centre, make it a thing to nurture and cherish by both parties.

To underscore the importance the community attaches to the centre, the Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru; members of the Onigede-in-Council, including the Odofin, High Chief Emmanuel Akinsola Adetona and the member representing Ado Ekiti/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ayodele Oladimeji, who brought about the centre to his constituency, were all at the inauguration.

Also at the brief but important event was the Vice President of Igede-Ekiti Progressive Association, Chief Remi Olowoloba; a youth leader, Mr. Akeem Adebomojo, and other members of the community from all walks of life. They all relished what they saw as the benefits Ekiti State could derive from the centre and particularly, Igede-Ekiti community.

On the occasion, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, Professor Alex Akpa, who inaugurated the centre, said the Igede centre was among the about 30 of such spread across the six geo-political zones of the country. He said the main Objectives if the centre included “exploration, exploitation, developing and innovating the Ekiti State and South Western region bioresources for the benefits of the communities/state within.”

Professor Akpa, who was represented by Dr Olusegun Oyedele of the Bioresources Development Centre, Ogbomoso, added that among the main objectives of the centre was also “to improve the economic growth and development of the country; centre for research and development; training/skill acquisition for teaming unemployed youths, men and women for job creation, empowerment and wealth creation.”

He added that the BIODEC was aimed as a centre “to promote the role of biotechnology as a silver bullet for sustainable food security, proper health and suitable environment within the zone.”

Professor Akpa eulogised Honourable Ayodele Oladimeji for his efforts at bringing the centre to Ekiti State, saying the lawmaker deserved commendation for his desire “to bring soccour and make life more comfortable for his constituency and the state at large.”

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The NABDA DG/CEO also noted that Oladimeji provided for proper functioning and smooth running of BIODEC, Igede Ekiti. According to him, Oladimeji provided “1,304 hectares of land, surveyed with plan number, duly approved by the Surveyor-General of Ekiti State; a block of three training rooms with sitting capacity of 50, two staff offices, one store and seven toilets for the staff and trainees also promised to build more blocks. He also provided one functioning borehole with overhead tank.”

Explaining the benefits of the centre further, Dr. Oyedele cited the example of agricultural resources peculiar to Ekiti State such as “Ekiti yam”, the “Iroko tree” and the relatively unknown “Calabash Nutmeg”, would be propagated for macro and micro propagation. He noted with particular attention that the calabash nutmeg, which is known as “Àríwó” in the local parlance, was natural to the people of the area and that the tree was a money spinner. And his explanation on the Àríwó drew reactions by common consent, from those among the people of the community who knew the plant.

Oyedele charged the people of Igede-Ekiti to embrace the opportunities the centre would provide them as well as the entire people of Ekiti State. He explained to the people that the centre would need more land for the expansion of the centre. Dr Oyedele said more buildings would be required; the centre would create a trial room and build sample centres.

He therefore called on the people of Igede to donate more land to support the efforts already made by Oladimeji so as to fast track the development of the new centre.

Chief Odofin, Emmanuel Adetona, who spoke on behalf of the Onigede, Oba Aladesuru, who had left before the end of the event, thanked Honourable Oladimeji for working hard to ensure that the dream came to reality, and for bringing the centre to Igede. He also thanked NABDA for what it is doing and for its various initiatives to make agriculture, which he said was the main occupation of the people, more meaningful, sustainable and profitable.

On the request for land by the Agency, Oba Aladesuru, through the Original Igede, assured that the request would be granted, saying it was not something out of place. “Igede does not joke with issues that have to do with education and community development. We will work hard to ensure that you get more land,” he stated.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Vice President of IPA, Chief Olowoloba, commended the Federal lawmaker from the community and NABDA for their synergy, saying it was heartwarming. Chief Olowoloba however stated that it was the desire of the town that the project was sustainable. He said “the Federal Government should support us by ensuring that there is budgetary support for the centre. We don’t want the project to lag after this inauguration.”

The IPA leader maintained that “on our part as a community, we promise that we shall look positively into the issue of provision more land and other forms of support for the centre.”

A youth leader, Adebomojo Akeem, who congratulated Igede, thanked the Federal Givernment and the lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, Hon. Ayodele Oladimeji, revealed that the youth of the community saw he opportunity of BIODEC, approached those who could help bring it about and, “it was Hon Oladimeji who took it upon himself and we are happy that he has pursued it to a logical conclusion.”

He called on the NABDA to make the master plan of Igede-Ekiti centre available to the community, hinting that some of the citizens would be interested in donating structures “and with the master plan, they would know the right place to site whatever they intend to donate.”