Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, the former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has promised to transform agriculture into the crude oil equivalent of Edo State’s economy if elected as governor in the upcoming September 21, 2024 election.
Gatekeepers News reports Umakhihe, a leading aspirant within the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the promises at a reception dinner to mark his retirement from the Federal Public Service after 35 years of meritorious service by friends and well-wishers in Benin City.
Umakhihe aims to leverage his extensive experience and achievements in the agricultural sector to revolutionize and enhance the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Scheduled to officially declare his gubernatorial candidacy on January 6, 2024, in Afuze, the administrative headquarters of Owan East Local Government Area, Umakhihe also pledged to tap into the state’s abundant solid minerals for its overall growth and development.
Emphasising his key priorities, Umakhihe stated, “I believe that agriculture holds the key to unlocking the State’s economic potential. This will put an end to our over dependence on revenue from the oil and gas sector.
“I will make agriculture the crude oil of Edo State. I have made this point several times that the state has a lot of arable land and all we need to do is to farm all year round.
“When you do that, you will have an increase in the production of staple and tree crops and you can use that as a pivot to develop the state and grow the economy”, he said.
Umakhihe, who said reward for hard work is more work, appealed to the APC leadership and members to give him more work by nominating him as the party candidate for the governorship election.
“I am a retired permanent secretary, my people are saying that I have tried. I have done a lot of work. My next question is, I want to work more, please give me more work. And I think, that more work is on a higher pedestal that is, governing the State or doing something greater than that”, he added
While assuring the people of good governance if given the opportunity to govern the state, he however, commended the organizers of the reception for appreciating him for his humble contribution to the development and growth of agriculture in the country especially in Edo State by ensuring that the state is self-sufficient in food production.
Solomon Arase, Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission, commended Umakhihe’s wisdom and professionalism, highlighting his collaboration and partnership with local and international stakeholders in strengthening and enhancing food safety and agricultural systems aligned with global best practices.
Arase also praised Umakhihe’s leadership style, characterised by collaboration and the ability to inspire confidence and camaraderie within teams.
The event witnessed the presence of various distinguished personalities and groups, including members of the Otuo Exclusive Club, Forum of Retired Civil Servants, Staff of NIFOR, Forum of Retired Heads of Service, members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and others.
