From Debra Ajulo, Ilorin
Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, the traditional ruler of Omu-Aran, Kwara State has called on the federal government to actively engage agriculture engineers in its agriculture transformation initiative.
The Monarch made the call when members and principal officers of Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE), visited him in his palace.
The visit of the NIAE team led by the Vice-Chancellor, Landmark University, Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju was to intimate him on its 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) being hosted by the institution.
The Olomu said the only workable alternative toward diversifying the nation’s economy from oil dependent, was through agriculture.
According to him, there was also the need to give priority attention to agriculture engineering, in order to achieve the desired results.
“Nigeria is richly blessed with abundant arable land and crops of qualified agricultural engineers, who can turn this God given resources around, for the benefit of the citizens.
“Presently, agriculture remained the best solution to our socio-economic predicaments.
“The best practice and method to achieve this is for the federal government to actively engage our agriculture engineers, in their various fields in transforming the sector.
“We need to wake up from our slumber and tap into the abundant widespread resources and use our resourceful manpower, to lift our country from this wilderness,” he said.
Oba Adeoti promised that the traditional institution would not relent in giving the needed support in transforming the agriculture sector.
In his remarks, Prof. Olayanju thanked the monarch and members of the Olomu-In-Council, for their support at all times.
He described the international conference as a veritable platform that was capable of projecting the image of the community, to the world.
“You have always provided us with the enabling environment for us as an agriculture based institution.
“On behalf of our Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo, we will remain grateful for your kindness and fatherly roles and advice,” he said.
Dr Shuaib Musa, National Chairman NIAE, on his part, said the visit was meant to seek royal blessings from the monarch toward the successful hosting of the conference and the AGM.
Also on the entourage were: some agriculture engineering international officers including Mr Indira Mani, President India Society of Agricultural Engineers, Mr Darrin Drollinger, Executive Director, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
