FIRST OPEN LETTER TO THE SEVENTH CIVILIAN GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, GOVERNOR LUCKY ORIMISAN AIYEDATIWA
January 2, 2024
His Excellency,
Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa,
Governor, Ondo State,
Your Excellency,
A REQUEST FOR THE PRIORITIZATION OF RESILIENT RURAL FOOD SYSTEM AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your predecessor, and my earnest congratulations to you on your successful swearing in to office.
Our state, as you know it, is currently overly dependent on the government which has earned it the name ‘the Civil Servant State’. This is further confirmed by the 2023 Q3 Budget Performance Report which showed that Personnel Cost was 45% of Government Expenditure and the government’s confidence in the ripple effect of the subsidy palliative of N35,000 additional benefit for civil servants to cushion the effects of subsidy withdrawal on petrol. However, we agree that these kinds of handouts are not sustainable, creating the need for investment in rural safety nets, human capital development, and infrastructure as highlighted in your budget presentation, and the New Year’s Message.
Looking forward to the 2024 Budget of Economic Resilience, I implore your administration to co-invest in expanding the state’s capacity for private and foreign direct investments, particularly in Agriculture. To not only ease the burden of provision on the government but also to increase internal revenue while promoting growth and employment.
This letter is addressed to a specific request for increased investment in the prioritization of our rural food system and conscious infrastructure development for environmental sustainability. This is because the current food inflation rate (of over 28%) has exposed that the current food system is ill-equipped to handle the impact of sudden disruptions on our food security and supply.
Furthermore, due to the unstable climate resulting in increased temperatures and outbreaks of pests and diseases, it is important that the infrastructural developments are environmentally conscious and climate resilient in the long term.
This investment recommendation is in the right direction as statistics from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) show that an investment in agriculture is effective in reducing both hunger and poverty and a dollar invested in the rural food system reduces poverty by $2. Additionally, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) estimated the 2021 untapped potential for Nigerian exports of cocoa beans at $425 million, a return Ondo state can benefit from as the top producer in Nigeria. Therefore, investing in rural agricultural entrepreneurship will strengthen the value chain; create jobs that result in talent retention; provide sustainable raw materials for local industries and exportation; and improve the standard of living.
Your Excellency, the best way to reflect the budget’s objective is to ensure the economic resilience of the rural, vulnerable indigenes of Ondo state and empower its youth and future generation, by investing heavily in a pivotal structure that can withstand and recover from disruptions in a way that ensures sufficient supply of and access to food for all.
I understand that this request may be tough to consider due to many known factors. However, I hope it is received as a testament of faith in your unwavering quest for advancement toward the economic empowerment of the state. Given my experience in structuring investment attractive rural safety nets, and curating effective youth developmental programs, I am willing to offer my support to freely consult with your office and apply my expertise.
Lastly, I wish you the fortitude to bear the loss of your predecessor and the strength to steer the state toward achieving the collectively desired sustainable development. I look forward to a positive response.
Yours Sincerely,
Oluwafunmibi Asunmonu
International Tax Compliance || Corporate Tax
1yGreat one Funbi!
Msc Student 📖📚 | DAAD Scholar📊🌾
1yA call in the right direction. Hoping His Excellency to act on this for the betterment of the Sunshine State.
I am a Christian || Chief Farmer of Africa Interested in || Partnerships and Engagement || Agric Finance & Investment || Program Management || Technology || Food Security|| Climate Smart Agriculture || Entrepreneurship
1yAwesome, I can't wait to hear the testimonial from this Letter. The Gov won't regret working with you