British commission to collaborate with Ogun on industrialization, agriculture

The British High Commission has expressed willingness to collaborate with the Ogun state government on industrialization, agriculture in order to boost the agricultural value chain and food security.

The Deputy British High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, gave the commendation on Friday when he led a team from the British High Commission, Lagos, to the Office of the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele. 

He praised the state government for its vigorous economic push, which has turned the state into a commercial paradise in Nigeria and noted that the huge industrial presence across the Gateway State was a testament to Governor-led administration’s commitment to ensuring the state remains the industrial capital of Nigeria.

 Expressing the Commission’s willingness to identify with it for improved economic and trade relations, the British Envoy described Ogun as crucial to Nigeria’s industrial base.

 “Since the current economic realities across the globe call for smooth and strategic measures, partnering with the government through programmes that enhance agriculture, towards making it become the mainstay of the economy for the good of the people, especially the vulnerable, is a right step in the right direction”.

In her remarks, Deputy Governor Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele informed the delegate about the government’s commitment to maintaining the favourable climate for current businesses to flourish while attracting new ones to the state. 

She stressed that the state was endowed with an expanse of arable land mass which was being judiciously utilised for economic gain, pointed out that twenty thousand hectares of land had been set aside for rice and maize production, towards achieving food security.

She reaffirmed the ongoing involvement of industry participants and stakeholders, such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in exploring public-private partnerships as a means of conducting business without negatively impacting the environment adding that the attendant problems associated with industrialisation such as migration, infrastructure deficit and insecurity were being looked into.

Other dignitaries present were, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Toyin Taiwo; the Commissioners for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela; Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo; Agriculture, Mr. Bolu Owootomo and the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Dapo Oduwole.