The gubernatorial candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the November 11 election in Kogi State, Otunba Olayinka Braimoh has congratulated the people of Egbeda Egga, Aduge and Ife Olukotun communities on the celebration of the year’s New Yam Festival.
In a statement from his campaign office in Lokoja, Braimoh expressed happiness that the people have continued to sustain a rich tradition in which yam as a key crop grown and eaten by all and sundry is used as a symbol for inspiring unity, togetherness and development within the communities.
“I heartily rejoice with the Obas, Council of Chiefs and the entire good people of Egbeda Egga, Aduge and Ife Olukotun communities on the celebration of this year’s Emidin Day, 2023. I wish all indigenes and residents increased prosperity, peace, love and harmony.
“Emidin festival (New Yam Celebration) falls within my wealth creation, distribution and retention Plan encapsulated in my STAT (Solid Mineral, Tourism, Agriculture and Trade) Agenda. As I have always said, yam, which is the king of crops, is grown by farmers and with the support of government, it can bring prosperity to the people. Cultivation of yam in commercial quantity can create employment opportunities and bring profit good enough to create wealth for the farmers.
“The major exporters of yam in the world are Nigeria and Ghana. This crop can contribute in no small measure, to the growth of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the two countries. On the other hand, celebration of the New Yam Festival is part of my cultural tourism agenda. From this celebration, I am developing a new concept about our tourism, trade potentials, and the export of produce to empower our farmers and locate our traders in the centre of the global produce market.
“When I become governor in November, my administration will develop all our tourist locations and cultural heritages to international standard and we will direct tourist traffic to our state.
“Once again, congratulations to our people in Egbeda Egga, Aduge and Ife Olukotun communities. Àsèyí sàmódún o”, Braimoh stated.
