FIC Report (Oyo State) – President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leon has departed from Ibadan, after concluding his 3-day official visit to Oyo State.
Mr. Bio left Ibadan today at about 11GMT through the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Alakia, Ibadan.
The Sierra Leonean President was seen off by the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde and a number of other state officials.
While in Ibadan, President Bio paid a working visit to the Oyo State Agricultural Hub, the Fashola Agricultural Industrial estate, among other places.
At one of the point of his visit, the visiting president advocated for strategic partnerships among African countries to revolutionize Africa’s Food System, saying that a strategic partnership that would dismantle barriers and speed-up solutions for a world class was needed for food system in Africa.
He made this call on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo state Capital, while presenting a keynote address at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) said beyond food transformation, efforts must be geared towards exploring agriculture for economic stability.
Delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of his 3 days visit, the president, who captioned his address, with: “the Power of improved Technologies and Public-Private Partnerships to Accelerate the Feed – Sierra Leonean Strategy”, advocated for strong partnerships and strategic investment, expressing hope that his visit would foster collaboration for food safety, enhance agronomic practices as well as establish a legacy that would allow agriculture to build prosperity for the future.
President Bio noted that “Sierra Leone has immense agricultural potential that remains largely untapped. He said it is crucial that the potential is harnessed through research and collaboration with renowned institutions like IITA.
The president emphasised the importance of leveraging scientific advancements to enhance agricultural practices in Sierra Leone, stating, “Our farmers deserve access to the best resources and knowledge available, and partnerships like these are vital for our progress.”
He said that his country was committed to transforming its agricultural landscape to ensure food security and economic stability.
“We are not just looking at immediate gains; we are focused on sustainable practices that will benefit future generations. It is our responsibility to create a resilient agricultural sector that can withstand the challenges of climate change and market fluctuations.”
The visiting President maintained that “public-private partnerships are essential for the success of our agricultural initiatives.
“By joining forces with the private sector, we can introduce innovative solutions that will significantly increase agricultural productivity and sustainability. We must be proactive in adopting advanced technologies and practices that can uplift our agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of our farmers.”
Mr. Bio stressed the need for improved technologies, stating, “In today’s world, we cannot afford to rely on traditional methods alone.
“Embracing modern agricultural technologies will allow us to increase yields, reduce waste, and ensure that our farmers are competitive in the global market. We must invest in training and resources that empower our farmers to utilize these technologies effectively.”
President Bio added that “Investing in our farmers is investing in the future. By providing them with the necessary training and resources, we can ensure they are not only producers but also entrepreneurs who can thrive in the agricultural economy. This is the vision we share with Oyo State, and together we can turn it into reality.”
In his remarks, the host, Governor Seyi Makinde, responded by highlighting areas of possible partnerships with Sierra Leone, stating that the visit of President Bio “to Nigeria and particularly Oyo state is aimed at strengthening partnerships, foster innovation and mobilizing investment to accelerate the feed Salone Programme in Sierre Leone for the benefit of Oyo state, Nigeria and Africa.
Mr. Makinde, who reeled out various comparative advantages of Oyo state in agriculture, also stressed that Oyo state remained open to significant partnership that would enhance food security and stimulate economic growth.
Makinde noted that the Presidential visit was focused on exploring collaborative opportunities across various sectors, with a particular emphasis on agriculture, “which is pivotal to both economies”. He maintained that the collaboration between Oyo State and Sierra Leone could become a step towards realising our shared vision of agricultural excellence.
“Together, we can create a robust framework that empowers farmers and fosters economic growth”, Makinde said.
In his welcome address, the DG IITA and CGIAR regional director for Africa, Simeon Ehui, had said that the visit of the Sierra Leonean President was a testament that the vision for food sufficiency in the African region is achievable.
It would be recalled that the Sierra Leonean President, Julius Maada Bio, had, earlier on Monday, March 3rd, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, before continuing on his journey to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The governor of the state, Engr. Seyi Makinde and some members of his cabinet, received at the international Airport in Ibadan, at about 1600GMT.
Signed
Moses Oyelade,
AD(I&PR), FIC, Ibadan.
