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By Chinyere Anyanwu
The People’s Republic of China has assured Nigeria that it will replicate the agro-industrial reforms that transformed it into the global force it is today in the country in the next five years.
The Chairman of China International Business and Development Corporation (CIBDC), Mr. Chang Daniel, gave the assurance at the weekend during a business visit of the the Chinese and the Nigerian delegation to the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi Odundun IV, in Iragbiji community of Boripe Local Government area in Osun State.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Daniel said the People’s Republic of China in partnership with the Federal Republic of Nigeria chose Iragbiji community as a unique agro-business hub for its proposed smart farming industrial estate.
Ha noted that agricultural practice for food production, supply and consumption in human life remain essential.
The CIBDC chairman linked innovation in modern agricultural practice, especially as exemplified by mechanised farming system to technology, which, according to him, has taken China away from where it was 40 years ago and revolutionised it into what it is today.
“With technology and digitalisation, 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,” Daniel said.
The President of Nigeria-China Investment Club, Dr. Chidi Ulelu, who led the 12-man delegation to Iragbiji in company of Bola Ojo, a Legislative Aide at the Nigerian Senate, also delivered a brief address.
He said the international investment and business corporation 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’, 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 youths would be trained and subsequently engaged in agro-business production, processing, packaging and exportation.
Earlier, while receiving the delegation in his palace, the host, Oba Olabomi, commended the team with expression of appreciation for their commitment and goodwill, as obviously expressed by the proposed establishment of the agro-business hub in his community. He said the project would be beneficial to the new Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, students and the general public.
Other members of the delegation included an Assistant Team Leader, Mrs. Li Feng; Executive Director, Mr. Gibson Ngoka, and Xiang Wenqin; Ye Silin, Pan Dan, Fang Yan, Jiang Yao, Yang Fenglong, and Tian Chungrong.
The delegation were entertained with a rich cultural exhibition showcasing oral poetry rendition, drumming, masquerade dance, decoration in Yoruba cultural attire, and local food with a chorus toast to a new development in the community.
Dignitaries at the event which held at the palace of the Aragbiji were High Chief Eesa of Iragbiji, Muraina Oyelami, kingmakers and other high-ranking chiefs; members of Iragbiji Development Association (IDA) led by the National Chairman, Dr. Lateef Raheem, an Aide to Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, Mr. Kaseem Akolawole, the Chief of Staff to Aragbiji, Mr. Olayide Oladiti, and the Spokesperson for the community, Dr. Jimoh Olorede.
