Atan-Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area Oyo State – In a moment that blended warmth with humility and honest political candor, Governor Seyi Makinde FNSE Dsc GSSRS on Saturday 2nd Aug, 2025 publicly acknowledged the tireless efforts of Dr. Debo Akande, E.A and Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), during the historic groundbreaking of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) project in Ijaiye.
Amid cheers from stakeholders and partners, including the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Governor Makinde made a striking but humorous remark while addressing the crowd:
“Unfortunately, your hard work made this happen, but I am taking the credit,” he said, pointing to Dr. Debo Akande, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
His comment, though tongue-in-cheek, underscored the governor’s rare ability to openly appreciate the efforts of his team members, even as he bears the face of government successes.
The SAPZ project – the first of its kind in Southwest Nigeria – spans over 3,000 hectares and is set to transform Oyo State into an agribusiness powerhouse. It will catalyze rural industrialization, reduce post-harvest losses, attract private investment, create thousands of jobs, and position Oyo as a critical player in Nigeria’s food security landscape.
Dr. Akande, who has been at the forefront of conceptualizing and coordinating the project from inception, was visibly moved by the recognition. His leadership through OYSADA has driven strategic collaborations between the Oyo State Government, AfDB, IFAD, IsDB, and the federal government.
Governor Makinde further stated:
“Leadership is not about doing it all, it’s about bringing people together who can execute the vision. Dr. Debo Akande is one of such individuals. Today, we celebrate the future, but we must also celebrate those who laid its foundation.”
The event attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond, including traditional rulers, agribusiness investors, and development experts. The SAPZ is expected to accelerate value-chain development across crops, livestock, and agro-processing, with Ijaiye set to become a model community for integrated rural growth.
This acknowledgment from Governor Makinde reinforces his administration’s emphasis on meritocracy, collaboration, and people-first governance. It is yet another chapter in Oyo State’s rising profile as a hub of innovation, infrastructure, and agricultural transformation.
Yours In Service,
Egalitarian Dig. Com.
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