Ambassador says Belgium will invest, boost
cocoa production in Nigeria
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has
declared that Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, has enough arable land suitable
for agricultural production, inviting both local and foreign investors.
The paramount ruler made this declaration when he received
the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, who paid him a courtesy
visit at the new Olubadan Palace located at Oke Aremo in Ibadan on Monday.
The Belgian Ambassador, who 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, had earlier hinted
Belgian Government’s activities and interventions within Nigerian’s
agricultural sector.
Pieter Leenknegt, who had earlier spoken with Olubadan,
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
the Country, adding that his visit was also meant 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”, he said.
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