Date: 2017-11-30

Mr Ayo Olajiga, Chief Executive Officer, FoodPro Nigeria Ltd, a cashew processing company in Ilorin has described President Muhammadu Buhari's administration as investors' friendly.

Olajiga said this on Wednesday in Ilorin in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said he received huge support from the Bank of Industry (BOI), adding that the development was indicative of the Federal Government's commitment to helping viable companies in the country to grow.

He said the fact that the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, came to inaugurate the extension of the factory, recently, was a testimony that "this administration encourages the private sector."

He said the company had employed over 400 people in its operations as part of its contributions to reduce unemployment in the country.

"Through domestic processing of raw cashew nuts, we have created more than 400 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs for farmers, vendors, suppliers and artisans.

"They form the heartbeat of FoodPro's value chain.

"With 90 per cent of FoodPro's employees being women, we are humbled by the role we play in impacting communities and improving economic and social development conditions in our host community." Olajiga said.

The chief executive officer said the company had been in operation since 2013 but recently ramped up its capacity from 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts per annum.

According to him, the effort made the copnay the largest locally owned cashew processing company in Nigeria.

Olajiga also said that FoodPro factory was the only factory certified by the African Cashew Alliance for Food Safety and Quality.

He said the company's plan was to double its operating capacity further to 10,000 tonnes, commence export of packaged and branded goods. The goods he said include existing brands – Lion Cashew & Go Nutz as well as a range of additional products that currently in their development phase.

He said the choice of Kwara for the establishment of the company was also due to the state government's business friendly policies and the proximity of Ilorin to source of its raw materials.

He commended BOI for its support to the company and the Kwara government.