Obasanjo visits Oba of Benin, restates shift from oil to agriculture

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II.
The Egba Chief, who was accompanied by the chairman of Wells Farm, Benin, Captain Hosa Okunboh (rtd), on the trip, restated call for the diversification of the nation’s economy from oil and gas to agriculture.

The former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that it was now clear that agriculture was the only sustainable business in the country that is capable of withstanding any season.

He said, “We have no other sustainable business other than agriculture that can keep us going, come rain or shine.”

He informed the monarch that he was in Benin to inspect the Wells Farm located in Ikpoba-okha Local Government Area in the outskirts of Benin.

He congratulated the Oba on his coronation as the 40th Oba of Benin, describing the Oba as a man of dignity.

Oba Ewuare II said that he was delighted to receive the former president in his palace coming shortly after he received a former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd).

The monarch said agricultural development was the way forward for Nigeria, even as he said that former president’s wisdom could play a major role in the creation of the Gelegele export-free zone in Ovia North-East Local Government Area.

At the palace, he informed the monarch that he was in Benin to inspect a multi-million dollar farm project owned by an Edo-based businessman, Capt Hosa Okunbor (retd.), and located in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.

While congratulating the Oba on his coronation, the former president, who was also accompanied on the visit by Okunbor, described him as a man‎ of dignity.

He added, “The Oba, whom I have known for a long time, remains the same. So, I am very happy to be here and proud of him.”

Oba Ewuare II said that he was delighted to receive the former president in his palace, barely a week after receiving Gen Gowon (retd.).

The monarch noted that, being a successful farmer, Obasanjo would inspire the agro-allied industry in Edo to grow.

According to him, agricultural development was the way forward for Nigeria, even as he said that former president’s wisdom could play a major role in the creation ofthe Gelegele export-free zone in Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
Before visiting the Benin Palace, the former President had paid a courtesy call on Governor Godwin Obaseki in the Government House in Benin.