From Wole Balogun, Ado Ekiti
Odu’a Group of Companies in partnership with Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) are planning a N12 billion investment for the conversion of the moribund textile industry in Ado Ekiti to industrial park.
As part of steps to salvage the assets of the factory, the institutions are also planning to establish a vocational and skills centre as well as academic centre, where diploma in three engineering courses and advanced level certificates will be obtained, within the already deserted factory.
Speaking at the formal presentation of the project design for effective utilisation of the old Odu’a Textile Mills, ABUAD’ founder, Chief Afe Babalola, said the country was at par with Brazil and India in terms of industrial development in the 60s but lamented that while the two other countries fought hard to sustain their industrial development strategies, Nigeria derailed. This, he said, accounted for the moribund of some of the companies that had been in operations in the past.
“The British said Nigeria, India and Brazil would join the league of advanced countries in the 60’s. But today, when the two other countries got it right and joined them, Nigeria did not . This is worrisome and disturbing
“We should not allow such textile mills that was the hub of Ekiti’s economy to die. But, with this plan, the factory will bounce to life by becoming an employment generation, vocational and academic centres, where people can benefit,” he said.
Group Managing Director of Odua conglomerate, Adewale Raji, said the factory was converted into a skilled and vocational centre during former governor Kayode Fayemi administration, saying the module adopted then could not sustain the centre as a veritable training ground for graduates and artisans.
He said the assets wasting away at the textile industry was valued at N600 million by experts, describing the scenario as dangerous to the survival of the South-West region’s economy.
Raji said N200 million was expended at that time for the construction of builder mart, comprising 50 lock-up-shops and the vocational centre, which, he said, were no longer economically sustainable.
“In this partnership, ABUAD is 60 percent shareholder while Odu’a is 40 percent. We are optimistic about the sustainability of the centre. It is our hope that within a short period, we will develop a reputation for excellence through the giant strides and accomplishment of its graduates and the industrial products of the proposed industrial park.”
Director of the ABUAD Directorate of Technological Development, Prof. Adeyemi Aderoba, said with the realisation of the proposal, the hitherto moribund factory would offer training in 12 courses, which, he said, would bear the semblance of a technical college.
Aderoba added that the industrial park would contain 31 small scale.