| AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE ADMINISTRATOR OF EKITI STATE, BRIGADIER-GENERAL ADETUNJI IDOWU OLURIN (RTD), DURING THE FLAG-OFF CEREMONY OF SERICULTURE EXTENSION ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE ON THURSDAY, 12TH APRIL 2007 AT THE ERINFUN PROJECT OFFICE, ADO-EKITI.Protocol I am indeed very glad to welcome you to this august occasion of starting the actual introduction of this laudable project to the generality of the people of Ekiti State. This project which was conceived some years back is now being empowered with the required impetus by this Administration to achieve its goal of “poverty alleviation” in an agrarian State like Ekiti. Sericulture is the rearing of Silkworm for the production of Natural Silk fiber, which is an exportable item with an insatiable market. As at today, the world highest producers are still importing silk from any available sources. I wish to state that I have been opportuned to see this practice in some traditional countries especially India and so I know the positive effect this could have on our country. Natural Silk production as I have seen will form a viable source of foreign revenue to the State when production commences. It is pertinent to state that the path to progress in Ekiti State must ensure that all avenues for economic development and growth are tapped. Sericulture, I believe, is one of such avenues to alleviate poverty and create employment opportunities for our young school leavers. For instance, an hectare of mulberry can engage at least 12 people in all section of the practice round the year. If the Government is to provide employment for the generality of the people, new ideas of investments must be introduced. Apart from this, this practice is known to form the basis for small, medium and large-scale Industries. Furthermore, the wastes generated from Sericulture are sources of organic manure while the dead pupa, which is rich in protein, are nutritious and used in production of animal feed. So nothing is wasted in Sericulture. The Government has expended quite a lot of money so far on this project in procurement of various equipment, building, invitation of expatriate, training of staff as well as maintenance of the facilities already provided for the project. Therefore, what has been put in place must not be allowed to go into waste. Also, because we believe that a project with such potentials must not start on a shaky footing, we have decided to bring some foreign experts to work with and train our people and so ensure a roper take-off of the project as well as ensure production of good quality silk from the beginning itself. The expatriates will be expected to arrive the country later in the year by then farmers would have commended production. Inviting the expatriate will allow a number of our people to benefit from the training exercises as trainings then will involve weaving on machines capable of improving productivity more than five times over our existing local looms.Ladies and Gentlemen, though some groups and individuals have worked on the possibility of introducing Sericulture in Nigeria, the Ekiti State Sericulture project is supposed to provide the necessary publicity, mobilization and assistance to every interested person or groups within the State who are prepared to go into commercial production of cocoon to ensure regular income. I expect that our farmers will embrace this practice and enjoy the dividend. I want to assure you all the necessary assistance and encouragement in this direction, as the Project will be empowered to receive and pay for Cocoons produced in the State for use on the installed machines until entrepreneurs start coming into the scene.I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Raw Material Research and Development Council, Abuja for the collaboration the Council is having with Ekiti State Government on this project. The Council’s initial input by way of counterpart funding is about N7.5million, w want to believe that more will follow in the name of the collaboration, now that the initial input is now being put to judicious use. Through this counterpart contribution, Ekiti State is feeling the positive effect of the council and it is our hope that this will be a continuous exercise. On behalf pf our government and the good people of Ekiti, I sincerely thank Raw Material Research and Development Council, Abuja.Let me3 admonish the staff of the project to put in their best and ensure the success and unbroken progress of this project. You should all work hand in hand and make sure that all the efforts from the various sources are not wasted while the project should not be regarded as another business as usual.Finally, it is not out of place to commend the efforts and experience of the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, the Project Manager, Mr. Borishade and every other Department that has contributed immensely towards the success of this project. I thank you all distinguished ladies and gentlemen for attending this ceremony and for showing your interest.Thank you. |
