Experts Challenge Community To Balance Modern Technology With Traditional Practises

LAGOS – Experts in the business sector have called on communities, especially residents of Okeho Community to merge traditional practises with modern technology in order to elevate the society.

Experts stated this ever the weekend in Okeho, Oyo State at the Okeho Economic and Industrial Awareness Summit.

The event organised by Egbe Omo Ibile Okeho and led by a committee headed by Mr. Jacob Moyo Ajekigbe, former First Bank Managing Director, featured lectures from Prof. Olaniyi Babayemi and Mr. Kolawole Adeniyi, alongside addresses from other participants.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Olaniyi Babayemi, President of the Nigerian Society of Animal Protection (NSAP), emphasised the need for actionable strategies.

Babayemi in his paper, ‘Unlocking the Economic Potential of Okeho,’ expressed that Okeho Community had always relied 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.

He challenged its residents to blend traditional practises with modern technology, suggesting the creation of an Olofin Brand to market local products like Olofin Ginger and Olofin Pottery.

Babayemi 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.

In his paper, Mr. Kolawole Adeniyi, Chairman of Niji Group, spoke on agribusiness potential in his lecture.

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.

“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.

“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 said.

Also, Mr. Jacob Ajekigbe, Committee Chairman, emphasised the summit’s goal of sharing knowledge and experience to foster economic prosperity.

Ajekigbe expressed that the purpose of the gathering was to share knowledge, wisdom and experience among the participants.

Hon. Najimdeen Oyeshina Oyedeji, representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, acknowledged the community’s focus on economic improvement and addressed state creation speculations, citing constitutional processes as the primary hurdle.

Oyedeji, further promised to deliver on electioneering campaigns.

The occasion also had in attendance notable dignitaries, entrepreneurs, business moguls, politicians and traditional rulers, among others.