The paramount ruler Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin 1 has asked Belgium to consider a partnership with the Oyo State government to help boost agricultural prpduction in the state. He told the visiting Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Pieter Leenknegt in his palace on Monday.
According to the royal father, Ibadan has enough arable land suitable for agricultural production needing investors.
Oba Olakulehin who was flanked by the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Tajudeen Ajibola, noted that vast hectares of arable land in the state were suitable and available for agricultural production. He, however, said that the natural endowment requires international partnership funding and support to boost food production in the nation.
He highlighted some of the locations in Ibadan to include Egbeda, Ona Ara, Oluyole, Ido, Lagelu and Akinyele local government areas. He told his guest that in those areas the potential for large-scale production of agricultural products abound.
Speaking on behalf of the royal father, Ajibola said, “Kabiyesi is happy to receive you and your team this morning. Ibadan is one of the largest cities in Africa. We have major resources here in Ibadan. We have vast arable land in Ibadan suitable for agricultural production in large scale.
“Land is available abundantly in Oluyole, Egbeda, Ona Ara, Ido, Lagelu and Akinyele that are suitable for agricultural production. We want you to tap from the opportunity to boost food production, especially at this point in our nation”.
Responding to the royal request, Leenknegt in his address, said his visit was to tap from the experiences of the Olubadan and the council for a successful foray into Nigeria’s agricultural sector during his tenure in Nigeria. He addes that he aimed to enhance agricultural production, trade and finance between Nigeria and Belgium.
“We have spent some days at IITA. Agriculture is one of the areas we are working on, which is in line with the agenda of the current administration in the country. Cocoa production. We have CRIN in Ibadan. Oyo state has been a major producer of cocoa.
“We want to see how we can boost cocoa production in Nigeria and through this we will enhance trade and finance. This brought me to Oyo State. So, I am very glad to be here and I will also be glad to have words of wisdom from you that will guide me for a successful tenure in the office”.
Leenknegt was accompanied by the Advisor in Economic Diplomacy for Nigeria, Kingdom of Belgium, Genco Sanli and Manager, Resource Mobilisation, Protocol and External Liaison of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Florence Oluwatoyin Oke.
The event was attended by members of the Olubadn – in Council including the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole-Foko, Asipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Asipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola, Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Amidu Ajibade and Ekerin Balogun, Oba John Olubunmi Isioye-Dada.
