On August 2, 2025, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, popularly known as Odidi-Omo, joined Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and other dignitaries for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Atan, Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Odidi-Omo hailed Governor Makinde’s unwavering commitment to agricultural transformation, describing the SAPZ as “a bold and brilliant step toward turning Oyo State into an agro-industrial powerhouse.”
“It’s not just about farming anymore. It’s about adding value, creating jobs, and positioning Oyo as a key player in Nigeria’s food economy. This is how you industrialize agriculture — by thinking big, planning boldly, and executing with purpose,” Odidi-Omo remarked.
The SAPZ initiative, supported by the Federal Government and multilateral partners including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Islamic Development Bank, represents a multi-million dollar investment aimed at revolutionizing agribusiness in Oyo State.
Strategically located on 300 hectares near the Lagos-Ibadan Railway corridor, the zone is designed to:
- Host cutting-edge agro-processing facilities
- Attract private sector investment through shared infrastructure
- Boost exports in key sectors like cassava, poultry, maize, and horticulture
- Create thousands of jobs, particularly for youth and rural dwellers
- Alleviate poverty while ensuring food security and economic inclusion
Governor Makinde, through this landmark project, is clearly redefining agriculture — not as subsistence, but as serious business. His vision aligns with global best practices in agribusiness development, where processing, packaging, and distribution are treated as crucial economic pillars.
The SAPZ stands as a shining example of his administration’s commitment to building sustainable prosperity for Oyo citizens through innovation, collaboration, and strategic foresight.
While giving full credit to the Governor for spearheading the SAPZ project, Hon. Odidi-Omo reaffirmed his own dedication to supporting initiatives that uplift his constituency and the wider state.
“Governor Makinde is laying the foundation for generational impact,” he said. “As a Representative of Ibadan North-West/South-West, I remain fully committed to championing projects like these that create real value for our people.”
Odidi-Omo urged all stakeholders — from farmers to financiers — to embrace the SAPZ vision and collaborate in ensuring its full success. The time, he stressed, is now:
“Let’s move from potential to productivity. Let’s make Oyo the blueprint for agricultural excellence in Nigeria.”
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