Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin Ige Olakulehin, had urged the Belgian Government to invest in arable land in Ibadan for agricultural production.
The paramount ruler of Ibadanland also declared that Ibadan has enough arable land suitable for agricultural production needing investors.
The Olubadan stated this when he received the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Pieter Leenknegt, who paid him a courtesy visit at the new Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan on Monday.
The Belgian Ambassador was accompanied by the Advisor on 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.
Leenknegt had earlier disclosed the activities of the Belgian Government and its interventions within thr agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Oba Olakulehin, who spoke through the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, said Ibadan has vast hectares of arable land.
He said the land is suitable and available for agricultural production, adding that it require international partnership funding and support to boost food production in the country.
Olubadan listed some locations of the arable land to include Egbeda, Ona Ara, Oluyole, Ido, Lagelu and Akinyele local government areas, with potentials for large-scale production of agricultural products.
As contained in a release by the Olubadan Palace Media Team, Oba Olakulehin seized the opportunity of the visit to implore the Belgian Ambassador and other investors to tap from the untapped opportunities.
“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 quantity.
“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,” the Otun Balogun of Ibadaland said on behalf of Oba Olakulehin.
Earlier, Leenknegt in his address, said his visit was to tap from the experiences of the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council for a successful investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector during his tenure as the Belgian Ambassador in Nigeria.
He added that his visit was also aimed at enhancing agricultural production, trade and finance between Nigeria and Belgium.
“We have spent some days at the IITA. Agriculture is one of the areas we are working. This is in line with the agenda of the current administration in the country.
“[As regards] 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,” he said.
The visit had in attendance members of the Olubadan-in Council, including the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, and Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole-Foko.
Others included Asipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Asipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola, Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Amidu Ajibade and Ekerin Balogun, Oba John Olubunmi Isioye-Dada.
