By Deji Ayinla, Osogbo
The Federal Government of Nigeria in partnership with the People’s Republic of China, has chosen Iragbiji community in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State as a unique agro-business hub for its proposed smart farming industrial estate.
Chairman of China International Business and Development Corporation (CIBDC), Mr. Chang Daniel, who spoke over the weekend at the palace of Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi Odundun IV, said that agricultural practice for food production, supply, and consumption in human life remained essential.
He linked innovation in modern agricultural practice, especially the mechanized farming system, which has taken China away from where it was 40 years ago and revolutionized it into what it is today.
“With technology and digitalization, we would replicate Chinese industrial reforms within five years in Nigeria.
“There’s a saying in China that when a country becomes developed, its people become very rich. So, we believe Nigeria will be a great country in future,” the CIBDC Chairman said.
Dr. Chidi Ulelu, president of Nigeria-China Investment Club, who led the 12-man delegation to Iragbiji in company with Hon. Bola Ojo, a legislative aide at the Nigerian Senate, also delivered a brief address.
He said CIBDC would ensure complete generation of electricity for the host community in addition to a Smart Farming Industrial Estate that would be built in Iragbiji.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, ‘Uplifting Youth Through Agriculture’, Ambassador Princess Afoma Adigwe, who is also a prominent member of the delegation, said the community would play host to the first Pilot Uyota Smart Farming Industrial Estate with ‘Live, Learn and Work’ as model of the Agro-Centre, where youth would be trained and subsequent engaged in agro-business production, processing, packaging and exportation.
Earlier, while receiving the delegation in his palace, Oba Olabomi commended the team with expression of appreciation for their commitment and goodwill to establish the agro-business hub in his community.
The traditional ruler said that the venture would be beneficial to the new Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, students and the general public.
Members of the delegation included an Assistant Team Leader, Mrs. Li Feng; another Executive Director, Mr. Gibson Ngoka; and Xiang Wenqin.
Others were Ye Silin, Pan Dan, Fang Yan, Jiang Yao, Yang Fenglong and Tian Chungrong.
Oba Olabomi organised a reference-point reception for the team members, where they were entertained with a rich cultural exhibition showcasing oral poetry rendition, drumming, masquerade dance, decoration in Yoruba cultural attire, and consumption of local food by the Chinese delegation with a chorus toast to a new development in the community.
In attendance at the palace with Aragbiji for the reception of the delegation were High Chief Eesa of Iragbiji, Muraina Oyelami; Kingmakers and other high-ranking Chiefs, members of the Iragbiji Development Association (IDA) led by the national Chairman, Dr. Lateef Raheem; an aide to Hon. Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, Mr. Kaseem Akolawole; the Chief of Staff to Aragbiji, Mr. Olayide Oladiti; and the spokesperson for the community, Dr. Jimoh Olorede, who directed the reception programme.