Ayo Fayose (middle)Controversial Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, who has made it his duty to blast President Muhammadu Buhari at every turn, including his current state visit to China, has also travelled to China on state expenses allegedly to meet investors.
Known as an illiterate politician thug to members of the opposition All Progressives Congress, and a grassroots, honest and humble politician to his fans, especially workers, market women and motorcycle riders, Mr. Fayose is despised, disrespected and loved at the same time.
A spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday that “as part of his efforts to boost agriculture and improve technological expertise of artisans in Ekiti State, the State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has travelled to Guangzhou, China to attend the 119th China Import and Export Fair otherwise known as the Canton Fair between April 14 and 19”. The government did not say how much money that trip will cost Ekiti tax payers.
But the spokesman said the governor had only travelled out of the country twice since he assumed office in October 2014, adding that his trip to China, which was projected six months ago, is his third trip outside Nigeria.
“Unlike President Mohammadu Buhari’s trip to China that is aimed at borrowing $2 billion, Governor Fayose’s trip to China is aimed at seeking partnership with prospective Chinese Investors and technical experts without committing the State to any loan,” said a statement by Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka.
Mr. Olayinka said in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the governor will hold talks with prospective investors in mechanised farming, experts in skill acquisition, particularly training in the area of perfect finishing in building construction as well as experts in auto-repairs modern technologies.
The Canton Fair, which is held biannually in Guangzhou every spring and autumn, with a history of 59 years since 1957 attracts various types of business activities such as economic and technical cooperations and exchanges.
“In its ongoing efforts in diversification of the economy of the State, Ekiti State is scheduled to hold an Agricultural Summit in May, as part of the government’s efforts to revive agriculture and make it the mainstay of the economy of the State,” the statement read.
Mr. Olayinka said apart from scheduled bilateral talks on Agriculture, Governor Fayose will also take advantage of the Canton Fair to hold talks with technical experts on training and technological exchange programmes for artisans in the State as part of his plan to get technical support for the proposed Artisans Village to be built in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.