Foreign Diplomats Rally Support For Agritech Nigeria Event In Osun

A cross section of guests at the dinner in Abuja 

 

Accredited Ambassadors and High Commissioners in Nigeria have indicated their interest to participate in the first-ever agro technology exhibition and conference in the country which is scheduled to take place in Osogbo, Osun State next year.

The agricultural trade fair tagged Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019 was originally scheduled to hold from 20-22 November this year, but has now been rescheduled to 26-28 March, 2019 at the Osogbo Township Stadium.

The diplomats, who were at a Dinner organised by the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja to sensitise the Ambassadors and High Commissioners as well as captains of industries in the country on the Agritech Nigeria event, believe the programme will go a long way in cementing their countries’ bilateral relationships with Nigerian government.

To the newly posted to Nigeria, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirate (UAE), Ambassador Fahad Al Taffaq, his country is ready to boost Nigerian agricultural production through UAE’s science-based agricultural development and other areas.

Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria Ricardo Guerra de Araujo, said his country would be participating in the Agritech Nigeria event, adding that Brazil is having a robust relationship with Nigeria, hence the plan to inject $1.1 billion into Nigerian agriculture.

“Sustainable use of tractors and modern technology for farming in Nigeria would boost productivity. We believe that mechanised agriculture would enhance value addition, food systems development and other opportunities for Nigerian farmers,” the Ambassador said.

Kenyan High Commissioner Designate, Dr. Wilfred Machage said though his Eastern Africa country is a developing nation, modern agriculture is steadily growing inn his country. He added that Kenya has a lot to share with Nigeria in the area of modern technology in agriculture.

 

 

Meanwhile, Governor Aregbesola, who was represented at the Dinner by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Titilayo Laoye-Tomori called on the embassies and High Commissions in Nigeria to buy pavilions at the exhibition venue for them to showcase their countries’ agricultural technologies and allied products at the Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019.

“We are also calling on international and local financial institutions to support and sponsor youth empowerment programmes during the event.

“Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019 is an international conference and exhibition that offers a meeting place for manufacturers, researchers, investors, academics, purchasers and decision makers, representing both local and international interests,’’ the Governor said.

Giving reasons for the rescheduling of the event to the first quarter of 2019, Aregbesola disclosed that “This event was earlier planned to hold from 20-22 November this year, but due to some considerations, especially the requests from some expected participants all over the world asking for enough time to prepare for their participation in this noble agricultural event, and more importantly for us to put in place a memorable Agritech Nigeria event, the “Government of the State of Osun and the organisers of this event decided to shift this  programme to the first quarter of 2019 precisely from 26-28 March, 2019.

“The programme is now officially tagged Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019.

“Your Excellencies, the Federal Government of Nigeria is with us in this programme, the Nigerian Governors Forum that comprises 36 state Governors in Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Health, Water Resources, Science and Technology.  The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has mobilised all Nigerian missions all over the world to market Agritech Nigeria in their respective country and we believe the participation of all Accredited Foreign Missions in Nigeria is very important.”

Some of the countries’ Ambassadors at the dinner included that of Spain, Cuba, Belgium, Tanzania, Togo, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Benin Republic, Ghana, Israel, Czech Republic, Belarus, Pakistan, Ukraine, Republic of Congo, Gambia, Cambodia and others.

The Dinner also saw in attendance representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Managing Director of Dizengolf W.A, Head of Agribusiness, Keystone Bank Limited, representatives of the Federal Ministry of the Environment, IITA, Ecobank, NFDAC, FIIRO, Bayer Middle Africa Limited,  World Bank and a host of others.