Nigeria: BATN Spends N100 Million On Empowerment, Industrialisation -Chairman

Source from:  Daily Champion 08/16/2011

Ado Ekiti - Not less than N100 million has been expended by the British America Tobacco Company of Nigeria (BATN) Foundation to provide cottage industries and other empowerment for rural dwellers in the 36 states of the Federation, including Abuja. Speaking at the commissioning and handover of Cassava processing Cottage Industry donated by BATN Foundation to Odo-Oro Community, Ikole-Ekiti Local Government area over the weekend, the Chairman of the BATN, Dr Christopher Kolade, said industrial and human development remains the engine room of any economy and that the Company will continue to invest in those areas. Represented by the Foundation's Executive Director, Mr. Gbenga Ibikunle, the BATN boss disclosed that , the Foundation was established to improve the quality of life of the citizens in rural areas of Nigeria through the implementation of various community development projects , such as sustainable agricultural development and potable water supply. Other areas, according to him are sustainable environment and educational development projects, adding that the BATN, which was established in 2002, has conceptualized and implemented various community development projects aims at employment generation and poverty reduction. Kolade disclosed that the Cassava processing factory which cost the foundation about N4.5 Million was equipped with grater, heavy duty cassava pressers, sifters, fermentation rack and stainless steel fryer. Also provided for the cottage industry was a 5,000 liter water storage tank to provide adequate water for processing activities at the cottage industry and for sundry domestic use by members of the community, to be supported by a stand alone generator to militate against power failure. Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Adio Folayan, commended the Foundation for its effort in the areas of community and agricultural development as evidenced in the donation of an ultra-modern cassava processing industry to soludero Fadama users Group in Odo -Oro. Fayemi posited that the project would contribute to food sufficiency and rural industrialization, adding it would also create jobs and ultimately contribute to poverty alleviation in Ekiti State. The Governor, who reeled out the achievements of Governor Kayode Fayemi in Agricultural sector of the state, described the collaboration of the State FADAMA development project with BATN foundation as a model, saying "this is the first non-governmental Organization that is collaborating with the FADAMA project in its pursuit of farmer empowerment". The Chairman, Soludero FADAMA users group, Odo-Oro Ekiti, Chief Ajiboye Akinola, said the advent of the processing plant would add impetus to the progress of the community. He assured that the maintenance of the factory should not pose any problem to the group, saying as the factory commenced work, whatever is realized from its usage would be put aside for its maintenance. Enditem