The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin Ige Olakulehin I, has declared that Ibadan has vast arable land suitable for agricultural production and is seeking investors to partner with.
The paramount ruler made this declaration when he received the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, at the new Olubadan Palace in Ibadan on Monday.
Oba Olakulehin highlighted the availability of arable land in areas such as Egbeda, Ona Ara, Oluyole, Ido, Lagelu, and Akinyele, suitable for large-scale agricultural production, according to Independent.
He implored the Belgian Ambassador and other investors to tap into these opportunities to boost food production in the nation.
The Belgian Ambassador’s visit aimed to enhance agricultural production, trade, and finance between Nigeria and Belgium, particularly in cocoa production.
The event was attended by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, who shared their wisdom and experiences to guide the Belgian Ambassador’s tenure in Nigeria.
“Kabiesi 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 monarch said.
Earlier, Leenknegt in his address, said his visit was to tap from the experiences of the Olubadan and the council for a successful foray in Nigeria’s agricultural sector during his tenure in Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
