Nigeria has no reason to be poor, says Ooni of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has said that there is ‘No reason Nigeria should be a poor Nation.”

The monarch also emphasised the untapped potential of cassava derivatives, such as sorbitol, starch, and ethanol, industries worth billions of dollars globally but underutilised in Nigeria.

He also praised a farming facility, Agbeyewa Farms, for its transformative efforts in Ekiti North, turning a once insecure area into a thriving hub for cassava cultivation.

In a statement made available Online on Monday, the monarch commended the bold initiative to convert over 20,000 hectares of land into mechanised cassava plantations, describing it as a groundbreaking step toward redefining Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

The statement noted that the initiative is not just about farming, saying, “It is about rewriting the narrative of a community previously defined by fear and insecurity. The project aims to bolster food security, attract foreign investment, and generate countless job opportunities for residents by turning what was once a ‘kidnappers axis’ into a land of opportunity.

“Over two days, the Ooni toured the expansive farms, which span five communities, including Ipao and Itapaji. Witnessing Agbeyewa’s advanced agricultural techniques firsthand, he expressed admiration for their innovative practices and commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing cassava production challenges.”